We’ve only been officially supporting the Salvo Hawks for a few weeks, but we’ve already found exciting new potential ways for Hawthorn Rotarians to contribute to the really good social results that Salvo Hawks are regularly achieving.
This project is principally about friendship: We attend the matches and the training sessions, and we talk with players and the hangers-on. Each player and hanger-on has their own story of social confusion, and the general refrain is “without Salvo Hawks, I can’t think where I/he/she would be”. By chatting, we can help, in some tiny way, to confirm these positives.
But we need a concerted effort for much more participation by Hawthorn Rotarians. On days when there’s a home game (2 and 16 August), we need several of us to be there. Not necessarily from start time (noon) right through to pizza finish time (1.50pm). But some of that time. And the same on training days (26 July and 9 August).
As we develop a cohort of Rotary Hawthorn supporters, so that we can be reasonably sure of having at least two attending at each home game, then we will explore other possible support mechanisms, such as
- Dealing with the massive pizza order;
- Providing the cut-up oranges at half time; and removing the skins
- Operating the electronic scoreboard (currently there’s no working scoreboard!)
When I attend, I wear my Rotary Hawthorn name badge and a Rotary Hawthorn Hi-Viz vest, in order to facilitate the starting of conversations, and to raise our ‘brand image’. Soon the club’s new jumpers will arrive, funded by us and featuring our logo.
And as our presence becomes established, there is the potential for one or two of the players to speak at a Tuesday lunch and tell us their stories. Now those addresses could be great eye-openers!
But first, can we all please try to attend on (especially) game days and (also) training days. Please put the dates in your diaries. And see whether you can adjust your diary to enable you to attend!
19th July - Salvo Hawks vs Malmsbury - away game
26th July - training
2nd August - Salvo Hawks vs Warriors - home game
9th August - training
16th August - Salvo Hawks vs Wynbay - home game
Wednesday 30 or Thursday 31 August Grand Finals Tournament – details soon.
Lawrence
We are into the new year with changes to images and contact points now well entrenched. It doesn't take long. Pleasing to have the Art Show away day so well attended--thanks to Jill Weeks. These off site days/meetings are always popular particularly with member partners and the Board is planning for others soon. 
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