Hawthorn Football Club’s first NSW Scholarship Program position for 2007 has been accepted by a famous name in AFL circles – 15 year old Broken Hill player Thomas Kickett.

Kickett, who currently plays for his local club – West Broken Hill FC – is part of the NSW U/15 and U/16 development squads and will participate in the AFL U/16 National Championships in Queensland later this year.

General Manager Player Personnel and Strategy Chris Pelchen said the talented tall utility’s football development would be coordinated between his local club in Broken Hill, AFLNSW and the Hawthorn Football Club over the next three years.

"We are delighted to be able to offer Thomas Kickett a scholarship at Hawthorn Football Club and that Thomas has chosen the Hawks as his preferred destination despite attracting interest from numerous other AFL clubs,” Pelchen said.

“Hawthorn fully endorses the NSW Scholarship Program and sees this AFL initiative as a genuine opportunity for us to attract talented junior footballers to the Club, especially as our draft position may be compromised with improved on-field performance over the coming years.”

In describing Thomas Kickett, Pelchen added “He has both exciting skills and athleticism and should develop into a player of genuine ability in the foreseeable future. Thomas has the capacity to play as a goal-kicking forward and through the midfield – his outstanding agility a feature of his game.”

Kickett hails from famous football pedigree; his father Mark was an outstanding junior footballer in Western Australia before his career was ended by injury. He is a cousin to former AFL players Derek and Dale Kickett and his great aunt is also current Hawk Lance Franklin’s grandmother.

The AFL scholarship program is aimed at teenagers aged between 15–17 years. Under scholarship guidelines, AFL Clubs can recruit up to two teenagers from Greater Sydney and southern NSW in each year. Scholarships can range from 1-3 years duration with recipients receiving financial assistance towards their football and education.

Thomas will spend regular periods training with the Hawks in Melbourne from 2007 while under current AFL rules he will be eligible for both the 2009 and 2010 AFL National Drafts. Hawthorn will have the option of priority listing him to their primary player list at this time.