A new 'Academy Program' is set to be implemented which aims to increase the number of players drafted from Box Hill to AFL level.
The renewed alignment also sees Box Hill players gain access to Hawthorn’s facilities at Waverley Park, which Box Hill Senior Coach Damian Carroll believes will benefit his players significantly.
“For Box Hill players to use the facilities at Waverley Park as well as other coaching resources is something many other VFL players will not have,” Carroll said.
“Five Box Hill players have made it onto AFL lists in the last two seasons.
"The 'Academy Program' will show to de-listed AFL players or TAC Cup players who missed being drafted that the Box Hill Hawks program creates second opportunities of getting onto an AFL list,” Carroll said.
The new agreement will also see Box Hill adopt a Hawthorn-style jumper in 2012 on both their home and away guernseys.
Hawthorn and Box Hill first aligned in 2000, and is the only original AFL/VFL affiliate still in place.
The Box Hill Hawks will commence their 2012 VFL season against Sandringham on the weekend of 24/25 March at Trevor Barker Oval.
The new Box Hill Hawks home guernsey (left) and away guernsey (right).
