A Message From The President
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to take the opportunity to welcome you all to the 2026 season. This year will certainly be both an exciting and disrupted season as the new turf goes down this week at Box Hill oval and we get the opportunity to watch the new buildings start to take shape over the season.
The renovations to the Southern Pavillion, our traditional base and change rooms is progressing well with walls and floor finishes in progress, and the fit out in progress. When complete we’ll have two change rooms at ground level in the southern Pavillion and we’ll be ale to return to the function room upstairs for the 2026 season. This is due for completion in May.
We are hoping to be back at Box Hill City Oval for our 500th game as the Box Hill Hawks v Collingwood on May 2nd, however the quality of the playing surface is paramount for our players, so Hawthorn have also kindly reserved the oval at the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley, should the ground not be ready.
We celebrated the VFL season launch last week, and officially welcomed back Club great and new VFL head coach David Mirra, along with our newly elected Captain Stu Horner. Great to see some returning faces along with some new faces starting their journey with Box Hill.
Given the later commencement of the VFLW season, we will be hosting a dedicated season launch for our VFLW team towards the end of April, where we’ll have the opportunity to welcome new and returning players, and formally celebrate the appointment of Rosie Dillon as our VFLW captain for 2026. The VFLW campaign will begin against Collingwood on 16 May.
We are very much looking forward to seeing both teams take the field and build on last season’s success.
Over the off-season, we also welcomed two new members to our Board: Anant Yuvarajah and Matt Considine. Anant has been a passionate Mustang and sponsor, and we look forward to him bringing that passion and his entrepreneurial expertise to the Board and the Club. Matt joins us with extensive football experience, a long-standing association with Hawthorn, and a strong business background through his Freight Logistics enterprise. Matt will bring some fresh ideas and commercial experience that will benefit us greatly.
Please note the following key dates and events for your diary, with further details to be provided in due course:
- Round 1 Home Game – 20 March, Kennedy Community Centre
- VFLW Season Launch – Late April (date to be confirmed)
- Round 6 Home Game – 2 May
- Mid-Season Celebration – 12 June
An opportunity to celebrate our 40-year partnership with Budget - Women in Sport Event – 17 July (afternoon/evening)
Looking forward to a great season.
Go Stangers,
