NEC Tassie Hawks Cup champions St Patrick’s College travelled to Hawthorn’s Waverley Park headquarters on Wednesday to spend a day in the life of an AFL footballer.
 
As winners of the NEC Tassie Hawks Cup, the pre-eminent junior sporting event in Tasmania, grade nine and ten students met captain Sam Mitchell, Travis Tuck and Beau Dowler during their visit.
 
Students also watched the team train, heard from coach Alastair Clarkson and participated in sessions devoted to personal and football development, including a training session with past player Ben Dixon.     
 
St Patrick’s College coach Matthew McGee said the young players thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience.
 
“The program has been an amazing opportunity for our boys. They learned things today that were not only about football, but about life as well.” 
 
“The kids really do aspire to be here and we feel very lucky to have had this wonderful experience.” 
 
St Patrick’s College is one of 61 schools throughout Tasmania involved with the NEC Tassie Hawks Cup regional competition. Around 2 500 students from public and private schools take part in the annual event.
 
Thanking NEC for their support, Tasmanian Operations Manager Shayne Stevenson said the day, and the program, was a resounding success. 

“The NEC Tassie Hawks Cup is another way Hawthorn Football Club connects with the Tasmanian community.”
 
“This fantastic program wouldn’t be possible without the support of NEC, and the kids wouldn’t get this valuable and rare opportunity to experience life as an AFL footballer.”
 
NEC Marketing Manager Martin Wells said how proud he is of NEC’s involvement in such a rewarding and far-reaching program.

“The NEC Tassie Hawks Cup is a marvellous opportunity for NEC to support youth football in association with AFL Tasmania.”

“Meeting the winning team from St. Patrick’s College here today has been very rewarding and demonstrates firsthand the results of our involvement.”