NEC Tassie Hawks Cup Showcases Hawthorn Benefits

2 September 2009

The Minister for Tourism and the Arts, Michelle O’Byrne, today said the Grand Final of the NEC Tassie Hawks Cup at Aurora Stadium was a great example of the benefits of the State Government’s partnership with Hawthorn.

“The football community in Tasmania and the broader community have all benefited from the social, school and community projects untaken by the club and the NEC Tassie Hawks Cup demonstrates Hawthorn’s long-term commitment to its relationship with Tasmania,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“The AFL games played at Aurora undoubtedly deliver economic benefits to the State and the Tassie Hawks Cup concept goes much deeper than this to the long-term, grass-roots development of AFL footy in Tasmania – the future generation of AFL stars.”

Today’s NEC Cup is the culmination of a competition developed for grades 9 and 10 students and held over the first and second school terms.

The competition involved high school students from across the State with more than 60 teams competing in their respective qualifying regional shields.

“For the winning team there’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly to Melbourne for a development program at Hawthorn’s training and administrative headquarters at Waverley Park,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“That is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Further information:    Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255