In Round 22, Hawthorn will host the Western Bulldogs for the third annual Inclusion Round.

The first inclusion match was played in 2019 and was designed to make football a safe, supportive and fun environment for a broader cross-section of society.

It celebrates the diversity of the Hawks family including supporters from all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

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One of these supporters is first-generation Australian Ikuyo Cudmore, who arrived in Australia from Japan in 2012.

Ikuyo was first introduced to AFL by her Hawthorn-supporter husband in 2002. She began by watching online and supporting from afar.

To the bewilderment of her Japanese friends and family, she quickly became a die-hard supporter of the brown and gold.

“I began to become interested and learned about the rules. My husband explained the game, and I became a big fan of Sam Mitchell, especially his style of play. Gradually I began to watch by myself and became a fan," Ikuyo said.

“I watched the 2008 Grand Final in Japan, and when I moved to Australia in 2012, I became a Hawthorn member as soon as I arrived. I was so excited to attend all football matches in Australia and be with other cheering Hawthorn supporters.”

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Ikuyo is positive that football could be big in Japan one day, as her birthplace already has successful rugby and soccer teams.

“There’s some local clubs that play footy. When there’s no coronavirus, I hope that Hawthorn or another team could go to Japan to explain the game,” she said.

Ikuyo explained that in the 1980s, Hawthorn played in a series of successful exhibition matches in Japan.

In 1986, Hawthorn played against Carlton in front of a crowd of 25,000 supporters. Again in 1987, Hawthorn played against Essendon.

Post-Olympics, perhaps Tokyo will use their stadium infrastructure to host the Hawks once again.

Ikuyo showed her dedication to the Hawks this year when she received her Australian citizenship. Alongside her traditional kimono, she also wore a Hawthorn scarf.