The Hawthorn Football Club and Box Hill Hawks have appointed former Sydney Swans champion Barry Mitchell as senior coach of the Box Hill Hawks for the 2008 VFL season.
On his appointment, Mitchell also joins the Hawthorn coaching panel and will play an important role in the continued development of the Hawks’ young list.
Mitchell, 42, replaces Damien Christensen who did not seek reappointment after two seasons at the helm. Mitchell arrives at Box Hill City Oval with strong playing and coaching experience.
After retiring from AFL football as a player in 1996, Mitchell most recently was Assistant Coach at Carlton from 2003-2007 and held the senior coaching role at Northern Bullants (Carlton’s VFL affiliate) for the last four seasons.
Mitchell was delighted to be appointed to the top job at the Box Hill Hawks and is looking forward to not only helping return success to Box Hill, but in developing a promising group of youngsters from both his VFL squad and the Hawthorn list.
“I’ve spoken with Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) and the football department and met with the Box Hill Hawks President (John Ure.) I understand it’s a dual role servicing the needs of both clubs as best as I can and I will be judged on my ability to gel the Box Hill guys with the Hawthorn players.
“I’m looking forward to helping developing some kids for Hawthorn and bring some success to Box Hill. That’s the name of the game,” Mitchell said.
Box Hill Hawks President John Ure was delighted with the appointment.
“Obviously we are thrilled to attract a proven and experienced coach like Barry Mitchell,” Ure said.
“He has a proven ability to coach successfully in an aligned VFL Club environment and we believe he is the right man to lead our Club back into Finals contention.”
Barry Mitchell fact file
Mitchell played 221 AFL games with Sydney Swans (170), Collingwood (6) and Carlton (38) between 1984-96, winning the Swans’ Bob Skilton Medal for Best & Fairest player in 1991, as well as the E.J. Whitten Medal and All Australian selection in the same year.
Following retiring from AFL football as a player in 1996, Mitchell most recently was Senior Coach at the Northern Bullants (Carlton’s VFL affiliate) for the last four seasons and a Carlton Assistant Coach.
