A New Era Begins: Box Hill Hawks First Female President Following A Legacy of Excellence

The Box Hill Hawks Football Club is pleased to announce that current Vice President, Carli Barnes, will take over the Presidency of the Club at the end of the current football season.  Carli has been on the Box Hill Hawks Board since 2021.

Current President, Ed Sill, indicated to the Board at the end of the 2024 season that we would look to stand aside at the end of 2025.

The Board formed a Nominations Sub-Committee with that group presenting their recommendation to the Board in March that Carli was their preferred candidate, a recommendation endorsed by the Board.

Upon Ed standing aside at the conclusion of the Football season, Carli will become Acting President until the Annual General Meeting to be held in February; when she will be formally endorsed as President for 2026.

The Box Hill Hawks Football Club gratefully acknowledges the passionate leadership that Ed Sill has provided to the Club over the past seven years, not the least of which was demonstrated during COVID when the Club went into recess for the first time since World War II.

The outgoing President offered the following comments –

It has been a wonderful experience serving the club as President for the last seven years. Whilst not without its challenges in that time, the Club continues to grow, and we particularly look forward to the ground redevelopment which starts in the next few months.

I am also incredibly proud of the process we have undertaken to appoint my successor. Carli was a great candidate, and the Club will be in wonderful hands.

Thanks to all the people who have supported me on the journey.

The incoming President has commented she’s looking forward to continuing the legacy the Box Hill Hawks has already developed; a Club dedicated to being the premier pathway for players, coaches and admin staff across the VFL and VFLW programs, a strong alignment with the Hawthorn Football Club and deep engagement with the local community. “I’m incredibly proud to be involved with the Box Hill Hawks Football Club, and excited about the opportunity to build on the legacy of those have come before me”.

The Hawks now move into the business part of the year, hosting a double header at City Oval this Saturday which sees our VFLW team battle Essendon in the first week of the finals whilst the VFL team take on Footscray in a top of the table clash. The VFL team secured a top 2 finish with a win against Southport this week.

We hope to see you at the game!