Dear members and supporters,

I am delighted to inform you we have appointed, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Club’s constitution, communications expert Richard Amos and respected businessman Bruce Stevenson onto the Hawthorn Board effective immediately.

We will now have an eight member Board, with the appointments of Richard and Bruce to be ratified at the Club’s 2013 Annual General Meeting.

For your information, Richard is a Managing Director of leading business and communication strategy firm Royce and his relationship with the Club has spanned over two decades.

Recruited to the Hawks in 1979, Richard played from 1980-1982 and was involved with the Club as an anti-merger campaigner in 1996 before he joined the Board for two years from 1998-2000.

Richard brings a wealth of specialist experience to the Club, particularly in the areas of brand marketing, business development, change management, and strategic communication planning and advice.

Bruce worked in the Australian Motor Industry for 35 years after initially training and working as an accountant.

A member of the 1971 premiership team, Bruce played 72 games for Hawthorn between 1969-1974.

He is a respected businessman throughout Tasmania, having begun Stevenson Automotive in Launceston in 1989, and is the current Chairman and Director of Tastel Community Telco.

Since December 2010, Bruce has been a Director of the Hawthorn Football Club Foundation and we look forward to his contribution and his in depth knowledge of finance and business matters.

I’m sure you will join me in welcoming both Richard and Bruce back to the Club at which their footballing careers began.

Personally, I take great pleasure in submitting two people of the calibre of Richard and Bruce to be ratified at our 2013 AGM. Being past players it also demonstrates the importance our Club places on producing not only outstanding athletes but nurturing quality individuals as well.

Finally, having appointed two new Directors I’d like to take this opportunity to remind those who are yet to commit to the Hawks in 2013 to join our force of 50,000 members NOW!!!

Having surpassed the 60,000 member milestone last season, we are hoping to sign up 65,000 members in 2013.                                                                   

And with Round 1 approaching what better reason do you need than to secure your reserved seat in order to guarantee entry to the MCG for the Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong.

Supporters can call 13000 HAWKS (1300 042 957) or visit membership.hawthornfc.com.au to join.

I look forward to seeing you in your brown and gold at Family Day this Sunday.