Since December, the 45-year-old has been leading his new group of charges ahead of participation in the 2026 Goulburn Murray Women’s Football League, with the Swans’ inaugural fixture to take place on April 19.
He explained the motivations behind the decision to enter a new team for the upcoming campaign as he highlighted his hope for a pathway to be in place for juniors to eventually represent this new seniors side.
“For many years, the Shepp Swans has had a youth girls program and that basically caps out at 17 years of age,” Hawker said.
“So those players we were promoting through our juniors had to leave the club and go elsewhere to other clubs that had a seniors program.
“So it was important we had a youth program pathway for girls to stay with the Swans and continue their footy journey.”
Hawker has already been able to work his magic during the last four months by encouraging what he described as an ‘inclusive’ and ‘focused’ approach on the training field.
“We’ve recruited players from other teams who wanted to jump onboard as well as players that are brand new to the sport who have never played it before,” he said.
“It’s a really exciting mix and blend - it’s been an amazing experience passing on my knowledge of the game from forwards to midfield to backline.”
Alongside his co-coach, Hawker has set about improving players irrespective of their skill level or experience, an endeavour that he described as having been ‘rewarding’ so far.
“Just teaching the basics again has been refreshing,” he said.
“Some of these players are brand new so it’s been about really tailoring that coaching aspect.
“We’ve had about five players where their kicking technique has gone from zero to 50 (since December) so they’re still on a journey - but the smiles on their faces when they’re hitting targets is the exciting bit as a coach.”
In addition, Hawker explained what characteristics he looks for in a potential recruit as he earmarked the type of attitude and approach he likes to see from players in his sides.
“Straight up being coach-able is a really key one for me,” he said.
“If you’re not coach-able, you’re pushing from a negative situation straight away - so having a real ‘can-do’ attitude.”
Before they take to the field at Princess Park next month, the respected footy figure is encouraging players of all levels to consider joining his fledgling side in preparation for the upcoming league campaign.
“The playing group is amazing and we need to top-up a few more players to get the team on the park,” he said.
“It’s such an inclusive group that players who’ve never played before could turn up and come along for the journey.“
Hawker has been assisted in his efforts by support from a host of Shepparton businesses, with Factor 1, JD Contractors, Shepparton Aerodrome and Fun Planet among the firms that have pitched in as sponsors of the team.
The Shepparton Swans senior women’s team trains on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30pm each week at Princess Park - with those who are interested in joining encouraged to take part in these sessions.
Moreover, youth players are also urged to come along to sessions put on by the club at its various age grades.
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