Aimee Calleja is the Hawks Senior Player of the Month for August, 2020.
 
Aimee is a very popular member of our Club who has played for the Hawks since she was 8 years old. This was in fact the first year that the Hawks club had sent teams to the Junior State Cup. Those early days were down in Wollongong and Aimee was the mainstay of the team that played together for the next ten years and continue on now in our representative mixed team. She has also contributed significantly to our Club competition and has won numerous titles down at Morrison.
 
Her tenacity and fierce competitive nature makes her a player that every team needs and her fellow players love having by their side. Talking to some of her team mates, it was unanimously declared that ‘she is a wonderful team player who respects her team mates and always gives everything she has to the team’.
 
A perfect example of her tenacity was when Aimee dislocated her shoulder during a game at JSC and she didn’t tap out like most would. She ran from the field, put it back into place and ran back on when it was her turn to sub!
 
Some career highlights for Aimee include:

• Played in the first Hawks team to win a Junior Sate Cup. 2009 coached by Jamie Clifford
• Played Junior and Senior State Cup for Hills and Balmain when Hawks did not have a side
• Playing touch football with her Dad – Club legend Billy Calleja
• Another career highlight / moment she will never forget is watching Bessy playing the flute at Senior State Cup (what a legend).

 
Other sporting achievements for Aimee include representing in netball, oz tag, basketball and rugby league, whilst her love of making lifelong friends from sport and especially touch football are high on her list.
 
For a girl who has achieved so much, Aimee still has some sporting ambitions. “I want to continue to play locally in the mixed and women’s’ Hawks competitions with friends and represent the Hawks at Senior State Cup. We are planning on going all the way in Port over the next three seasons” she was quoted.
 
Away from the touch field, Aimee is doing some prac teaching and is in her third year studying to become a primary school teacher. What a career choice and one that she will do very well in!!
 
Chatting to one of her early coaches Jamie Clifford, he was full of praise for the work ethic and team focus that Aimee brought to all of the teams she was involved with. He also said Aimee was ‘a pleasure to coach’.
 
Congratulations to Aimee on being Hawks Senior Player of the Month for August.

Sam Watkins is the player every team needs and every Club appreciates.
 
Whether it be first to training or last to leave; Sam has an infectious personality that draws people to him.
 
On the field, he has established himself as a Premier League player for the Club and has also moved into the Scorpions Rep program after his consistent performances. Off the field, he has taken on a coaching role with our mighty u/12 boys team and has a lot of enjoyment in passing on his knowledge to the next generation of Hawks. This coaching role will continue next season for the 2021 Junior State Cup. This is an exceptional example of someone who is committed to the Club and committed to giving his time for the future of the Club. Time is such a precious commodity to give during these busy times and Sam does this selflessly!!
 
Sam has been a Hawk for the past three years and prior to that he won a Vawdon Cup Division 1 with Hills. He has now set his sights on winning a State Title with a special group of players at Ryde Eastwood. “Whilst we still have a lot of improvement in us as a team, our work ethic and intensity at training is something we are focused on. Our win last year at the State Cup against the Vawdon Cup Champions Bankstown proves that we can now match it with the best players in the State. That 2-1 victory was something very special to be a part of and one of those wins that you will always remember” Sam said. “I also love playing with all of the boys and the bond we all have, however special mention to playing alongside my best mate BRAD GIBSON! I look up to him as he is the king of touch and I enjoy every minute of learning and playing touch with him”.  

Barry Gibson has been a close mentor and coach of Sam’s and also coached him for Sydney Scorpions Mixed Open team when he was joined by his young gun brother Finn.

“I have enjoyed being coached by the greatest coach I have ever known Barry Gibson! He has so much knowledge of the game and has shown me how to be the best player I can be and that has made me a better player” Sam added  

As you can see, Sam is one of those players every Club needs. He eats, sleeps and breathes Hawks culture.
 
Congratulations to Sam on being named Hawks Senior Player of the Month for July.

Bendigo Bank North Ryde are a long term sponsor of the Club and have been supporting the Hawks and the Community for many years.

The origins of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank began more than 160 years ago in two great Australian communities. Bendigo in Victoria and Adelaide in South Australia. Each started out as building societies, driven to help Australians buy their own home.

Bendigo Bank North Ryde is all about supporting the local community and engagement with local sports clubs is a key element of their strategic plan.

Bendigo Bank:
1              Has the reputation of being one of Australia's most trusted brands
2              Is widely known as a top 100 ASX listed Company with more than 110,000 shareholders
3              Has an extensive branch network Australia-wide
4              Services 1.8 million customers in over 500 locations Australia-wide
5              Is Australia's 5th biggest retail bank
6              Has more than 7,000 employees
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As a valued sponsor of the Hawks, always remember to support those who support us!!

The old saying "it takes a village to raise a child" is paramount when you consider the support Tegan Nicholas receives from her talented family.
 
From her grandfather Peter Bungate (who is a Hawks legend) to her parents (who are both representative players and coaches) to her two brothers (Ryan and Blake both rep players for the Hawks), Tegan is a player with a wealth of skill and knowledge for someone so young.
 
A real game manager that every coach wants in their team, Tegan has made her mark at the Hawks with her tenacious defence and silky skills with the ball. These skills were rewarded when she was named in the Sydney Scorpions Squad this year after the 2020 Junior State Cup.  Her three appearances at Junior State Cup have been a reward for her strong performances in our Hawks club competition where Tegan has led her club side to Grand Final glory. Many good judges can see that this girl has the talent and support to go a long way.
 
Speaking with Tegan, she spoke about her ambition to Play Women's NRL State of Origin, Play NRL Touch and to win a Junior State Cup with the Hawks. Lets hope that she can achieve all three!
 
Combined with her passion for touch, Tegan is also a level 6 gymnast, plays League Tag for Hills Bulls and also goes to the National Championships for OZ Tag. 

Club President Andrew Goggin said “Tegan is one of those players who loves touch and plays well above her years in maturity. We are not only lucky to have her as a valued member of the Club but we are also lucky to have the support of her entire family. Families like this are what our Club is all about. They are the first to put their hand up and support us and we hope that the family (and Tegan) stays with the Hawks for a long time to come”.

Future Hawks stars - Charlotte Richmond, Tegan Nicholas and Ivy-Marie Provan