You are all aware that I am very hopeful that one day a female will be selected on merit to play AFL football. I further hope that lady will play for Hawthorn.
Well, we are on our way.
This weekend, on Sunday in Southern Tasmania Zabreena Manjerovic will become the first girl, maybe the first ever in Tasmania, to be playing in the South Boys under 13 Grand Final.
Zabreena is no new recruit, she celebrated 50 games last year with the Lauderdale Bombers, which is an under 12 youth team open to boys and girls, but Zabreena was the only girl playing.
In recognition of Zabreena’s achievement we invited her to lead our team through our banner at our Round 21 game at Aurora Stadium last year.
Of course with recruiting rules being what they are, Hawthorn cannot contract Zabreena yet, but I have been in discussion with her mother. Details of those discussions must remain confidential.
Given that we are a forward-looking Club at Hawthorn, keep an eye on this new scholarship recruit.
Zabreena is playing this Sunday at the North Hobart Oval at 9.15am.
To all those player managers who may read this, back off!
You ridiculed our hopes, and with Zabreena we are on the way to fulfilling our vision.
Go Lauderdale Bombers, and go Zabreena.
Jeff Kennett
President and Recruiting Assistant
