This week the Hawks are in Tasmania as part of the 2011 Telstra AFL Community Camp.
Day two saw the camp getting involved in community activities and clinics across Launceston, Hobart and Devonport.
Launceston A
Day two saw the group head to the University of Tasmania where the players teamed up with the Sports Ability program, encouraging people with a disability to get involved and participate in sport and active recreation.
The boys then took part in a Zumba session and a selection of games with around 40 excited guests.
In the afternoon, the group took a scenic drive to the town of Scottsdale for a footy clinic. Luke Bruest and Travis Tuck spent the arvo displaying their handballing skills while Nathan Ahmat-Watkins and Jordan Lewis ran goalkicking drills with the kids.
Sam Mitchell and Angus Litherland also showed the youngsters the fine arts of bumping and taking speccies!
The players have a go at a Zumba class.
Handballing drills with Jordan Lewis.
Launceston B
The players were up early for a light jog and skills session at Aurora Stadium.
The group then headed to Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Westbury. A handful of players here talked about their journeys through school and football to how they come to playing football with Hawthorn today.
After a quick lunch stop, a clinic was held at the Beaconsfield football oval. With around 150 children in attendance, there were drill stations set up and kids rotated through each activity.
Bumping and tackling with Michael Osborne and Ryan Schoenmakers, marking with Stephen Gillham, kicking goals with Grant Birchall and Matt Suckling, kicking distance and technique with Paul Puopolo, and finally Will Sierakowski and Jordan Lewis helped the kids out with handballing.
Ryan Schoenmakers and Michael Osborne assist in a tackling drill.
Stephen Gilham gets a hanger taken on him.
The players at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Devonport
Day two of the Devonport group saw the boys participate in the "Walk with a Hawk", a walk along Burnie's walking track to the Bluff picinic area, where the players ran some drills and played games with the kids.
The afternoon saw the group head to a clinic in Burnie at West Park Oval. Together with the Burnie Dockers, the players ran a clinic for approximately 100 kids, which concluded with a signing session and giveaways.
The evening consisted of the players sharing a dinner with four upcoming leaders of the Devonport Football Club. The players discussed being role models, showing leadership skills and playing sport at an elite level over the dinner.
The players mingling with the kids at the Burnie clinic.
Ben Stratton, Sam Grimley and Xavier Ellis at the clinic.
Hobart - groups A and B
The sun was shining over Hobart with the players splitting up into two groups, both heading to Sandy Bay. The first group got together with The Create Foundation to have a barbecue and a kick of the footy with around 30 very excited kids.
The Create Foundation work with children who are frequently in and out if home care and provide them with a stable family like environment. To finish off their visit a soccer match was set up between all the kids and the players, with the kids prevailing in a very exciting game of soccer.
The second group worked with the Tasmanian Sport and Recreation department to conduct activities with Sports Ability.
In the afternoon both groups headed off to footy clinics in Glenorchy and Sorell, where a sea of brown and gold was eagerly awaiting their arrival. The groups conducted clinics with the help of local football clubs, to share their skills and knowledge of the game with the players of the future.
A signing session finished the day with lots of giveaways for the young fans to take home and remember their experience with the Hawks.
Thanks to Sorell Junior FC, Lauderdale FC, Dodges Ferry FC and Glenorchy FC who assisted in the clinics.
The players sign autographs for some eager fans.
Rick Ladson and Brent Guerra assisting with a tackling drill.
Playing a game of 'table cricket' at Sports Ability.
Read the day one wrap article.
Return to the 2011 Community Camp page.
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