AIMS

ACCESS

INCLUSION

BELONGING

HAWKS FRIENDS

In 2025, the Hawks Community Foundation continued to deliver Hawks FRIENDS, a cognitive behaviour therapy program recognised by the World Health Organisation as best practice for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression in young people. The program equips children and adolescents with practical behavioural, physiological, and cognitive strategies to recognise and manage anxiety, while also building emotional resilience and supporting personal growth. Workshops were led by trained facilitators, who served as positive role models working with each group to deliver 10 hours of content. Their involvement reinforced the program’s message that seeking help and building resilience are vital steps toward wellbeing.

HAWKS FOR ALL SCHOOLS

The Hawks For All program is designed to give participants a better understanding of disability and to build empathy, all while learning to play AFL Blind and Wheelchair AFL. Workshops are delivered by a facilitator with experience of living with a disability and representing Hawthorn Football Club in AFL Blind or Wheelchair AFL. The sessions have classroom based and practical elements where students get to learn to empathise with people who have a visual impairment or physical disabilities.

The Hawthorn Football Club Wheelchair team built on last year’s development with a stronger, more balanced list. Key players including Hayden Auber, Gerard McCarthy, and leading scorers Yassin Hill and David Ralph returned, while new teammates Michael Cadd and Adam Smark continued to grow into bigger roles. The Championship side showed flashes of quality against strong opponents like Richmond and Collingwood, with Hill leading the way in front of goal. In the Community division, consistent contributions from players like Ralphy and Aaron Jardim kept the team competitive and improving across the season. While results were mixed, the squad showed greater depth, clearer structures, and growing confidence. With more experience under their belt, the Hawks are well placed for an exciting season in 2026.

AFL BLIND

The 2025 season was another strong campaign for the Hawthorn AFL Blind team, cementing their status as a powerhouse of the Victorian Blind Football League. With experienced leaders guiding an improving list, the Hawks built momentum through the season, showcasing resilience and attacking flair. Standout performers, including the ever-reliable Steve Obeid around the ball and Cebby Johnson in front of goal, complete with his trademark celebrations, consistently drove the side forward and kept the team in contention. Their run culminated in a hard-fought Grand Final against St Kilda. After trailing early, the Hawks surged to take the lead at halftime and held it through much of the third term, before St Kilda finished stronger to claim a 92-83 win. Although the narrow loss denied Hawthorn back-to-back Premierships, the season reinforced the team’s consistency at the top level. Finishing runner-up highlighted the balance of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, and the Hawks head into 2026 confident that another premiership tilt is well within reach.

INCLUSION MATCH

MADE POSSIBLE BY VARIETY THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY

Hawthorn proudly hosted the 2025 Inclusion Match at the MCG facing Melbourne in Round 23, celebrating diversity and belonging. Thanks to the support of Variety – the Children’s Charity, this special event highlighted the Hawks’ ongoing commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe and supportive space to enjoy the footy.  The day was brought to life with 20 junior mascots living with a disability, running through the banner alongside their Hawthorn heroes. While fans were welcomed to enjoy the MCG’s game-day sensory space, created in partnership with the Hawks’ successful Inclusion Project. Accessible entry points were also provided, reinforcing the club’s mission of making footy welcoming for all. With Variety set to support the Inclusion Match for the next three years, this partnership ensures the tradition of celebrating inclusivity continues to grow.
    

VARIETY INCLUSION CLINIC

The Hawks hosted an Inclusion Clinic at Bunjil Bagora in partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity, offering a unique football experience for children and families who may not have the opportunity to take part in clinics. Twenty-one children aged 4 to 16 participated in adaptive football drills led by Hawthorn AFL players, along with members of the Hawks AFL Blind and Wheelchair teams.  The event provided an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment where every child could engage and feel part of the Hawks family. Families also enjoyed an in-depth tour of the facility and a Q&A session with the players.