The travelling party included past Hawks star and four-time premiership player Gary Buckenara along with current players Shaun Burgoyne, Clinton Young, Max Bailey and Brendan Whitecross.
The group was warmly welcomed by the community of Jilkminggan, 130kms south-east of Katherine with signs that students had created in class.
The players teamed up with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) to bring both football and dance to the excited community. Over 70 kids brushed up on their footy skills in a clinic with players, followed by a dance workshop and performance by IHHP. The artists are employed by youthbeyondblue to tackle depression in indigenous communities, encouraging self expression in kids.
The following day, Hawks players shared drills from their own training program with eager participants from the Clontarf Academy.
The Hawks, along with AFL Katherine and Nitmiluk Tours, raised over $3000 at a sportsman’s dinner for the Big Rivers Football League squad. The money will assist in their bid to enter the Darwin league - going towards a bus to transport local players 300kms to Darwin to compete.
Brendan and Max stayed an extra night in Darwin as a part of the Hawks on Tour program which saw players visit Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth over the first week of February.
The two boys attended a Darwin Hawks supporter group function where fans got the opportunity to hear about the season ahead and grab signatures and photos.
The Club looks forward to growing the relationship with AFL NT and the region of Katherine to help make a difference in these communities, find out more.
Max Bailey was a hit as the ‘human tree’ with kids constantly climbing up on his shoulders.
