In a significant move to enhance the future of sports education and high performance, the Hawthorn Football Club has partnered with Box Hill Institute to establish the Hawthorn College of Sport. This innovative collaboration is set to provide students with an unparalleled educational experience, combining academic learning with real-world exposure to a top-tier sports environment.

The newly formed Hawthorn College of Sport offers students the opportunity to enrol in a dual diploma program in Sport and Leadership and Management, delivered by Box Hill Institute. This program is uniquely designed to integrate hands-on experience within Hawthorn’s high-performance setup, providing students with access to the club’s elite facilities, including interactions with players, coaches, fitness and medical professionals, as well as sports administration leaders.

Through this partnership, students will engage in specialised learning scenarios and on-the-job training, positioning them for successful careers in the sports industry. Expressions of interest for the dual diploma program will be open in the coming months, with the first cohort of students set to begin in February 2025.

Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Hawthorn has a legacy of success and high achievement. We are excited to extend this legacy to students, offering them the chance to realise their potential through the unique opportunities provided by the Hawthorn College of Sport partnership.”

Klein emphasised the program’s forefront position in sports education, highlighting the access students will have to Hawthorn’s elite coaches, athletes, and staff. “This partnership with Box Hill Institute will provide students with exceptional support and a competitive edge in their journey towards a successful career in the sports industry,” Klein added.