Hawthorn VFLW Coach Bec Goddard has thrown her support behind the club’s plan to kick off its Kennedy Community Centre construction with its purpose-built AFLW facilities. 

Though the Hawks are yet to secure an AFLW licence, the decision reaffirms the club’s commitment to the longevity of women’s football. 

“I think this is absolutely brilliant for Hawthorn,” Goddard told the OuterSanctum podcast.

“They’ve decided to completely flip their project for the Kennedy Community Centre. 

“(It) was put on hold because of COVID, which has given Hawthorn time to review their project and timelines.

“Stage 1 will now be the AFLW home ground and pavilion for Hawthorn, and that’s all part of the hope that Hawthorn will be getting a licence, not for this coming season but hopefully for the next one.”

With COVID-19 resulting in the cancellation of Victoria’s 2020 state-league competitions, Goddard has been unable to action the plans she had for her new side.

These plans included building a robust and successful program to prepare the Hawthorn women to enter the AFLW competition.

Despite the lockdown hindering both hers and the club’s initial plans, Goddard now sees this period as one full of significant opportunities for everyone in the AFL landscape.

“Here’s the thing about COVID, we talk about going back to normal, but for me this is a real opportunity,” she said.

“I’ve looked at the AFL industry and thought what an opportunity it is to not go back to normal. To actually go back and be better than what we were before, offer something more and get ahead.

“We can get better, and that’s what Hawthorn’s done.

“I think this is absolutely brilliant for Hawthorn, and why not create something that’s special out in the south east, that’s going to be a great facility for women and girls out there.”