To celebrate the Kokoda match this weekend, Hawthorn Football Club played host to 12 eager students who have been selected by the ‘Kokoda Challenge Youth Program’ to walk the Kokoda Track in September.

The visit to Hawks headquarters offered the opportunity to hear about player and staff experiences walking the track. Students were taken on a tour of the Waverley Park facilities followed by a screening of the Club’s DVD from the 2009 Kokoda trip.

Through the DVD, the students were able to see the scale of their upcoming trek and began to understand the kind of preparation they will undergo before attempting to walk the track.

After the viewing, Football Operations Coordinator Nicky Couston talked to the students about her experience in Kokoda, giving great insight to students as she shared many helpful tips - not only in the lead up to the trip - but also fore while they are there.

Students also heard from Hawks players Sam Grimley, Shane Savage and Luke Bruest who reflected on their 2009 Kokoda journey and how it made them mentally and physically stronger.

The students applied for the experience by explaining why they would like to walk the Kokoda track, with many of the students focused on improving their leadership skills, fitness and mental strength through the program.

The 12 committed students were selected from a group of 60 entrants and are currently in their third week of training.

The group will be attending the Kokoda, Round 11 match this weekend as guests of the Club where the players will don camouflage guernseys to honour the memory of Kokoda, find out more about the game