sport
Box Hill Institute Launches Sports Pathway With Hawthorn Football Club Access
The new dual diploma program at Box Hill Institute gives students direct access to Hawthorn Football Club facilities ahead of the next intake cycle.
How we reported this
Box Hill Institute has joined with Hawthorn Football Club to create the Hawthorn College of Sport, offering a dual diploma in Sport and Leadership and Management that places students inside an elite AFL environment from day one.
The partnership matters now because the first student group that began in February 2025 is already moving through its second year while a fresh round of applicants prepares for the 2027 start, aligning classroom work with the demands of the upcoming AFL season and the broader sports industry in Melbourne’s east.
Hands-on training at the heart of Box Hill
Students based at Box Hill Institute will complete part of their studies at Hawthorn’s training base, working alongside fitness staff, medical teams and club administrators while using the same facilities that support the senior playing group. This arrangement keeps the program rooted in the local community and gives Box Hill residents a direct route into professional sport without leaving the area.
Program details and next steps
The course combines academic study with on-the-job placements that cover high-performance training, sports administration and leadership skills, according to the Ministry of Sport report published on 8 August 2024. Expressions of interest opened after the announcement and the initial cohort commenced in February 2025, with further intakes planned on the same annual cycle. Prospective students can find full details and application timelines at www.hawthorncollegeofsport.com.au or by emailing info@hawthorncollegeofsport.com.au to secure a place before the next round closes.
Local applicants are encouraged to register early so they can complete the required documentation and attend information sessions held at the institute before the 2027 academic year begins.