The Harden Hawks will add another Club Championship to their name after they were named the best performing club in the 2021 George Tooke Shield season.
Canberra Region Rugby League announced the winners last week with the Hawks finishing with 135 competition points edging out the North Canberra Bears by just five points.
Rivals the Cootamundra Bulldogs finished in third position with 128 points.
With the 2021 Club Championship in the bag, the Hawks have now won 4 out of the last 6 Club Championships which is a great effort for the club.
Unfortunately due to other sides in the George Tooke Shield Competition not having women’s tackle sides the WorHawks points do not count towards the Club Championship.
Harden Hawks President Jason Pollard said “It is a great achievement, it means all grades are doing well which is great for the club.”
Jason considers this season to be one of the strongest for all grades.
“We were right up there in the men’s competition and could have quite easily won that. It was a tight contest between the top teams but it wasn’t out of our reach.”
“The Hawkettes were the favourites to win their competition after being undefeated through the year.”
“A thanks must go to Boorowa for helping us field an under 19’s team, they were starting to become a competitive side. They got a few kids back towards the end of the year which really helped the side out.”
“It’s a reflection of the effort the whole club has put in, everyone enjoys playing here whether it’s in the two women’s sides, tackle and leaguetag, or 19’s youth league and the men’s competition. It is great for Harden to have four grades of football.”
Jason believes that the men’s team impressed everyone this season.
“They were starting to build pretty nicely as they got fitter and got some players back towards the end of the year. They were starting to mount a pretty strong campaign.”
The Hawkettes were also crowned Minor Premiers of the George Tooke Shield Ladies Leagutag Competition.
Jason believes that the Hawkettes also impressed everyone this season.
“This is their third season they have gone through the competition undefeated, they only had 10 points scored against them all season.”
“We are definitely pleased with the Hawkettes achievements, the team were pleased with their achievements but feel as if the job isn’t done yet.”
“I think a lot of them will be back next year to go again and finish the season and get a win.”
Missing out on last season due to COVID and returning this year, the Hawkettes feel winning the minor premiership was worth coming back into the competition.
“There is a lot of effort and commitment from all the players in the team. Winning the minor premiership is a great feeling but it’s disappointing that we didn’t get to contest for the premiership.”
Jason said it’s hard to say whether the Minor Premiership and Club Championship will make the players hungrier for success next year.
“Most of the Hawkettes will hopefully recommit and come back to the Hawkettes. With the Men’s side we are a bit unsure what will happen with players including Browny (Luke Brown). He’s been coaching the last few years but we are unsure what he will be doing at this stage.”
“Luke has been a big part of our club for a long time and we would like to thank him for the coaching job he has done. We would love to see him back next year.”
The Hawks will now prepare for the 100 Year Celebration dinner due to be held in November.
Tahlia Crane