Playing Santa, Hawks players presented ADF representatives Captain Tony Johnston and Warrant Officer Graeme Jones with Hawthorn guernseys for the troops to wear in an inaugural Afghan Hawks Cup match; an initiative between the Club and the ADF.
Volunteers from the ADF will don the donated Hawks guernseys to play in the highly anticipated match on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Others will act as runners and drinks carriers when they’re not cheering on their colleagues.
Captain Johnston said the game will mean a great deal to the troops, especially during the holiday season.
“It’s a very special occasion for the troops and a good opportunity to get everyone together as well. And if it’s right on Christmas, it will be a really good time,” he said.
Captain Johnston explained the major role that football and sport plays in connecting the soldiers with their loved ones and lifestyles back at home.
“Every Friday night we get the AFL and NRL results sent over the radio, so it’s very, very important to get our sports results when we’re overseas and follow our teams and we always get an opportunity to watch the Grand Final,” he said.
Club spokesperson Clinton Bown said Hawthorn is proud to contribute to what he hopes will be an annual tradition for Australian Defence personnel stationed overseas.
“Donating these guernseys to the ADF is a small way that the Hawthorn family can show its appreciation at Christmas to those brave men and women who serve our country. We hope the Afghan Hawks Cup helps bring a little bit of home to our friends in Afghanistan this Christmas.”
Captain Johnston, who has sent the guernseys across to Afghanistan in time for the big match, said the players will be thrilled to receive them.
“Thanks very much to Hawthorn Football Club, it really does mean a great deal to all the boys over there. We don’t get a lot of creature comforts and these things will turn up in the mail and they’ll rip it open, they will be rapt,” Captain Johnston said.
