Hawks name second scholarship recipient

Hawthorn FC is pleased to announce its second AFL Scholarship recipient in less than a week with 15 year old Baulkham Hills JFC player Trent Stubbs signing with the Club today.

The athletic Stubbs is a tall utility who currently plays as lead-up forward or midfielder and has potential to develop into a key position prospect of the future. Stubbs represented NSW in the U/15 V-Line Championships in Melbourne and the NSW U/15 State Series in Sydney.  

General Manager Player Personnel and Strategy Chris Pelchen said Stubbs’ signing was a coup for Hawthorn, since the talented youngster had attracted interest from a number of other AFL clubs.

"Trent is a player of genuine ability and we are delighted he has chosen to sign with Hawthorn under the NSW Scholarship Program,” he said.

Last week, the Club secured talented Broken Hill player Thomas Kickett.

“We believe in signing both Trent and Thomas that we have now secured two of the most exciting young football talents in NSW,” Pelchen said.

The NSW Scholarship Program represents a real opportunity for AFL clubs to actively contribute to the development of young footballers throughout NSW while providing an incentive to be able to list these players prior to the AFL National Draft.

“Hawthorn FC takes its commitment to the program very seriously and will continue to offer the best scholarship program it can to prospective players of the future,” Pelchen  said.

Stubbs has been offered a three year scholarship with the Club which will see him involved in various skills, fitness and personal development programs through both AFLNSW and Hawthorn between now and 2010. He will make regular trips to train with the Club in Melbourne during this time.

Under current rules Trent will be eligible to be priority listed to the Hawthorn FC before either the 2009 or 2010 AFL National Drafts.