With the recent completion of the new facilities available at McLean Oval, there is plenty for the Hawks community to be positive about for the rest of this year with the 100-year celebration soon approaching.

After Covid-19 disruptions threw a spanner in the works for the football club in 2020 with the impediment for competitive sport as well as the Hawks’ anticipated 100th year celebration, many are excited the event will go ahead on July 31.

The day will kick-off with four local round 12 fixtures including Harden/Boorowa U19s against Gungahlin Bulls at 11.30am, Worhawks against Boomanulla Raiders at 12.45pm, Hawkettes League Tag against Coota Bulldogs at 2pm, and Hawks against Coota Bulldogs at 3.20pm.

In-between the clashes, the ‘Old Boys’ former Harden Hawks players will take on the ‘Old Boys’ from Coota and contest the inaugural Peter Leitner Cup for around 10 minutes.

The juniors will have already played their own game earlier in the day in Boorowa and will travel back to McLean Oval that afternoon to play against each other at half-time breaks.

Additionally, the plan is to get special guest Brett Kenny and Jeff involved on the day too. Brett is a former centre and five-eight Australian professional rugby league footballer, who had a decorated playing career in the 80s and 90s.

He was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2008 and was awarded the Dally M Representative Player of the Year in 1986.

Mr Kenny was described as “one of the most naturally gifted players” to emerge during his time and had great acceleration and step.

He played in 17 Tests, made 17 State of Origin appearances for NSW and won four premierships with the Parramatta Eels, before heading off to play for Wigan Warriors in England for a short stint.

Jeff Thomson is another national sporting legend in his sport of cricket, he was regarded as “one of the fastest bowlers ever”, being a pacier bowler than Michael Holding and Imran Khan in a fast bowling contest in 1978.

According to Cricket Country, Mr Thomson clocked 160.58km/h in a test in 1975, timed using high-speed cameras.

Jeff was the opening partner of another fast bowler Dennis Lillee and the pair was considered as one of the most fearsome in Test cricket history.

The right-arm fast “Thommo” was inducted in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2016.

Following the Hawks’ four grades taking to the field in a full-day of footy, the main function will begin at the Harden Racecourse Clubhouse at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

Many will be dressed in smart casual.

Both Brett and Jeff will be present on the night as guest speakers on a panel.

Many attending will have the opportunity to ask questions, including one to Jeff about the time he bowled to the great Cootamundra-born and greatest batsman of all time Don Bradman.

According to Cricket Country, Jeff decided to perform a leg-spinner instead of his usual fast one, as “it wouldn’t look too good in the newspaper if I killed Don Bradman in a game of backyard cricket”.

The 70-year-old Bradman apparently faced Jeff without any protection and smacked him, Mr Thomson also believes Bradman as one of the most remarkable batsman he has ever bowled to.

Besides Brett and Jeff, the other Hawks old boys will get up and speak in a Q&A panel too, the line-up has not yet been decided but it will include past coaches and old blokes including ones that were part of the Maher Cup.

The George Tooke Shield Hawks side will play in a retro jumper earlier that day which the front of the Guernsey is maroon and white striped and the back being black and white.

The retro jerseys worn will then be auctioned later that night at the function.

Besides catered food at the function, Harden Hawks Club President Jason Pollard said there will be music playing softly in the background whilst many catch up, especially the old boys.

“Maybe at the end of the night after a few beers they [the old boys] might have a little dance,” Mr Pollard joked.

With over 100 tickets already sold since sales opened, Jason is excited for the rest of 2021.

“It should be a great day and it will be good to play against Coota as there’s been some good rivalry over the years,” he said.

“We got four grades this year too which is great. It’s the first time in a long time we have four sides playing, with some big days at the footy.

“The facility up there is amazing and already making a big difference to games.”

There will be various Covid restrictions in place on the night and a total of 300 tickets available for the main function on a “first-in basis”.

Calcutta Friday night at major sponsor Carrington Hotel will be on July 30 at 7pm.

Christopher Tan