The Hawks are in Tasmania this week as part of their Australia Post AFL Community Camp.
On the camp's final day, Hawks players passed on their football skills and knowledge to AFL hopefuls and participated in other community activities.
Burnie
Day three in Burnie began with a visit to a very special patient at the North West Regional Hospital as nine Hawthorn players visited 15-year-old Hayden Connelly, a terminally ill cancer patient. The players discussed girls, PlayStation3 and cars as Hayden described his recent ride in a V8 Commodore
The next stop was West Park oval where 100 kids participated in a SuperClinic. Luke Lowden illustrated the art of tackling and marking, while Shaun Burgoyne and Isaac Smith taught the kids how to snap goals from the pocket - just like Buddy. AFL Tasmania also organised a Youth Aged Combine testing day for 15-16 year olds making the transition from junior football leagues to senior sides. Sam Mitchell, Matt Suckling and Angus Litherland taught the boys how to handball and kick on their left side as a way to demonstrate how and why it's important to build these skills for use during matches.
After lunch, the bus drove 45 minutes to Latrobe (just outside of Devonport) for a fun sports carnival with approximately 200 children, some of which were from the local school. Hawks players were in charge of the nine teams competing in different sports. The sports included tunnel ball (using a football), frisbee, a hockey equivalent game, sack races and a hula hoop group activity - all activities helped participants learn teamwork, leadership and the importance of communication.
Hawks players then journeyed to Launceston to prepare for their first intra-club match of 2012 with a training session at Aurora Stadium.
Clinton Young with a fan sporting the Hawks' Kokoda guernsey.
Everyone is ready for the tunnel ball competition.
Luke Lowden assisting at the SuperClinic.
Our group at North West Regional Hospital.
Sam Mitchell helping with the left hand handballing drills.
Hobart B
On day three, the Hobart B group headed to the Tasmania Cricket Association ground in Hobart to assist with Youth Age Combine testing. The U/16 Tasmanian footballers were put to the test, as they experienced some AFL Draft Combine testing methods and activities. The Hawks passed on knowledge and advice to the AFL hopefuls as they helped with the testing.
The group then drove to New Norfolk for a McDonald’s event. The players signed autographs, posed in photos with young fans and even helped out the staff serve customers.
From New Norfolk, the group journeyed up the Midlands Highway to Launceston, where they met with teammates ahead of the intra-club match on Friday.
Mitch Hallahan helps McDonalds staff behind the counter in New Norfolk.
Launceston A
The third and final day of community camp began with a SuperClinic at Aurora Stadium. Local kids enjoyed learning football skills and hearing advice from Hawks players. Attendees took part in a number of activity stations including handballing, kicking, tackling and more. The players spoke about their grassroots, their time at Hawthorn and the journey that has taken them to where they are today. Participants then had the opportunity to get some autographs and have a one-on-one chat with their favourite players.
The group then attended a Sports Ability session at the University of Tasmania’s Unigym. Participants in the program are encouraged to participate in sport and recreation aiming to give those with a disability the opportunity to get involved in physical activity. The favourite Sports Ability activity on the was the Zumba class, where everyone enjoyed a dance with Hawks players.
Kids hear from players after the clinic at Aurora Stadium.
Taylor Duryea gets in the swing with Zumba class at Sports Ability.
Shane Savage meets a young fan at the clinic at Aurora Stadium.
Launceston B
Launceston B's final day began with a Youth Age Combine at Aurora Stadium. The combine was introduced this year to provide junior football players with an avenue to familiarise thsemelves with senior football by using using draft camp activities. The Hawks players provided handy hints and feedback to the participants to help them improve their game.
The afternoon was then spent at Launceston Toyota, a Club corporate partner. The players met some of the locals in-store, and participated in a handball activity while having a chat.
Hawks players talk the junior football players through the next drill.
The Launceston B group in Launceston Toyota's showroom.
Brent Guerra and Cameron Bruce pose for a photo with a young Hawks fan at Launceston Toyota.
