The Hawks joined AFL Northern Territory representatives to launch a program that will aim to recruit promising Australian Rules football players aged between 11- and 18-years-old.

Hawthorn already have a strong connection to the development of AFL players in the Katherine area, heavily backing the Big River Hawks under 18 team, which competes in Darwin during the wet season.

AFLNT Katherine regional manager Eamon Rice said the purpose of the program was to provide opportunities for Indigenous and multi-cultural youth.

“All of a sudden the youth in these remote areas will start to have access to the same programs that youth in the cities do,” he said.

“This in turn will develop them at an earlier age so that the talent in the region can develop their skills on par with the rest of the country.”

Mr Rice said the program aimed to give youth focus and enable them to become role models and leaders in their respective communities.

“School attendance is a non negotiable in participating in this program, which fits in with the Big River Hawks philosophies.”

The Hawks are among five AFL clubs allocated to regions in the Northern Territory with the aim of attracting boys and girls who are not currently playing football and areas who are under represented in the AFL.