$1Million Donation to Expand Indigenous Football Program

AFL Premiership club, Hawthorn has received a donation of $1 million over five years for the club’s Indigenous program from the founders of the Epic Good Foundation, Stuart Giles and Cathie Reid.

The club said the significant philanthropic contribution will expand and ensure the sustainability of the club’s Indigenous program.

Hawthorn President Andrew Newbold, CEO Stuart Fox and the Hawks’ five Indigenous stars Shaun Burgoyne, Cyril Rioli, Bradley Hill, Jed Anderson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis accepted the donation this week.

Hawthorn Indigenous players flank donors Stuart Giles & Cathie Reid

Philanthropist couple, Stuart Giles and Cathie Reid are the founders of the Epic Pharmacy Group, one of Australia’s largest suppliers of pharmaceutical and clinical services for the hospital, oncology and aged care sectors with an annual turnover exceeding $200 million.

“Stuart and Cathie’s generous donation will enable the club to facilitate and cultivate the program for the next five years and beyond through mentorship, lifestyle and participation programs in Indigenous communities,”  Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox said.

“This new partnership with Stuart and Cathie will enable the club to extend the reach, breadth and growth of our Indigenous programs,” he said.

“A five year funding commitment in this space also allows the programs to continue to develop, evolve and grow in this time so we can help effect real change.”

The club said the significant pledge will help expand its program through:

• Employing an Indigenous Programs Officer at Waverley Park
• Funding and supporting the Eastern Eaglehawks Under 18 Indigenous football team
• Growing and leveraging a current affiliation with Big River Hawks Under 18 football team from Katherine, NT
• Facilitating a leadership and cultural awareness camp in Melbourne for the Big River Hawks
• Facilitating an annual community camp with specific Indigenous activity in Tasmania
• Providing Indigenous cultural awareness training for all staff and players
• Facilitating an Indigenous Auskick Centre visit from Northern Territory to Melbourne
• Undertaking a community visit to Katherine with a Hawthorn Football Club Indigenous player each year

“The AFL is an integral part of many Indigenous communities, particularly in the Darwin and Katherine regions where school attendance and a healthy lifestyle are an essential element to joining the football team,” Stuart Fox said.

“Through initiatives such as these, Hawthorn hopes to generate lasting relationships with these communities and help bring about real change in not only the Northern Territory but throughout Indigenous communities nationally.

“Cathie and husband Stuart are both Hawks Foundation donors and Epic Good is about supporting greater health outcomes for all Australians. The partnership is a perfect fit.”

Hawthorn’s Indigenous ambassadors Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli will take on roles within the program as mentors.

“I am really excited with the opportunity to strengthen our current program and commitment to the Katherine region where we already have established a strong footprint,” Burgoyne said.  

“I am looking forward to the mentoring role within the program, though which I’ll be able to help develop Indigenous leaders within each community we visit,” Rioli said.