And after Australian Defence Force (ADF) and international troops took part in the Afghan Hawks Cup match at Bagram Airfield in March, the Hawks have a significant new supporter base spanning from New Zealand to the United States.
In December last year, the Club donated Hawthorn guernseys for players from the ADF, the US 82nd Airborne Division, the 372nd Engineers Brigade (Alabama National Guard) and the New Zealand Defence Force to wear in the inaugural game.
The game took place at Bagram Airfield (BAF), which is a predominantly US militarised airport and housing complex that is located next to the ancient city of Bagram in Afghanistan.
The middle-eastern country was heavily mined by Soviet forces during their ten year occupation (1979-1989), and by the Taliban and Northern Alliance who layed out mines to protect their supply routes, airfields, military posts and front lines. In 2002, a Mine Action Centre (MAC) was established at BAF.
Although there was no dedicated space available at Bagram to play the match, the MAC developed a temporary field with the help of a US Engineer unit. Camouflage net poles were acquired and set up as goal posts and the ‘oval’ took shape over a matter of weeks early this year. Located at the oval’s southern boundary was an active fenced minefield. Hawthorn donated three footballs so had a ball ended up in the minefield, there was a contingency to continue with a game!
The teams were predominantly divided into the 82nd Airborne Division (brown guernseys) and the ‘Barbarians’ (yellow guernseys) for the big match.
After a very physical first half of footy, the 82nd Airborne Division edged in front by two goals. The Barbarians fought back to within seven points in the second half, but the 82nd ran out eight point winners.
Each member received promotional gifts from Hawthorn Football Club and man of the match, Major Rik Anderson from New Zealand Defence Force, was awarded the Hawthorn BBQ utensil set.
A final group photo of the players was taken around the military combat vehicles that are used to patrol the region.
