Importantly, to mark the announcement HBA also donated new goals posts to the Alexandra Football Club, which had not been able to fund replacements after their community oval was used to accommodate families who lost their homes to the devastating bushfires last year.
Hawks premiership player Trent Croad joined HBA Ambassador and Hawthorn Legend Peter Hudson to call for nominations in the 2010 HBA HighMarks program from junior footballers who had their lives impacted by the bushfires and have demonstrated leadership within their local community.
Now in its seventh year, the program will provide the 12 participants with the opportunity to spend three days being mentored by senior Hawks players, learning about healthy lifestyle choices, setting goals and the chance to go behind the scenes at an AFL game.
Peter Hudson said he was delighted to be able to support the courage and bravery displayed every day by residents of Alexandra and the surrounding communities in this way.
“Not only were whole communities destroyed in the 2009 bushfires but the lives of those who survived were changed forever and the path to rebuilding is a long journey,” he said.
“And while it’s only a small gesture, we hope that the donation of the goal posts and dedicating the HBA HighMarks program to children who have overcome the adversity of the bushfires will go some way to helping these courageous local communities.”
Hudson went on to say these initiatives followed HBA’s earlier donation of more than $220,000 in support of the bushfire recovery efforts.
“We’re delighted to partner with the Hawks to continue this support by giving 12 junior footballers in regional Victoria the chance to spend three days with some of their AFL idols.”
Similarly, Croad said the Hawthorn players were looking forward to working closely with the aspiring young footballers; many of whom have overcome greater obstacles than any sportsperson could face on the competition arena.
The HBA HighMarks program will be conducted in the last week of June and is open to boys aged 14 to 16 years who are nominated by their coaches or parents.
Nominations close on Monday 7 June, download the form.
As one of Australia’s leading private health insurers, the HBA HighMarks initiative aligns HBA’s long term goal of helping people lead healthier, happier and longer lives.
Peter Hudson and Trent Croad with Ben Wollard and Will Goonan.
L-R: Jack Tossol, Ben Wallard, Jack Goonan, Will Goonan, Peter Hudson and Trent Croad.
