HAWTHORN has strengthened its developmental relationship with New Zealand, handing two promising young Kiwi footballers AFL scholarships.
Rhys Panui-Leth, 16, and Shem Tatupu, 15, both hail from the Auckland region and have represented AFLNZ at junior international level.
The pair attended the Hawks' player testing days conducted in Auckland late last year and caught the eye of Hawthorn's general manager of player personnel and strategy, Chris Pelchen.
"Rhys and Shem show considerable athletic talent and the capacity to develop the necessary football skills to play AFL at the highest level," Pelchen said.
"Rhys is a versatile young player who possesses the ability to play as a tall utility, whether that be as a half-back or half-forward.
"He showed significant improvement at the recent AFL Oceania Under-16 Championships in Tonga and displays a genuine commitment to his training."
Shem, a year younger than Panui-Leth, measures in at 193cm, three more than his counterpart, and is the son of former Kiwi rugby league international Tony Tatupu.
"Shem is an outstanding talent who, while still learning the game, possesses all the necessary attributes to develop into an exciting player of the future," Pelchen said.
"Shem's size and athleticism are indicative of his footballing heritage and through ongoing specialist coaching, he should become a player capable of holding down a key position in time."
As part of their AFL international player scholarship, the pair will have the opportunity to travel to Melbourne to train with the Hawks throughout 2011 and will also receive specialist coaching in New Zealand.
The Hawthorn signings follow the relocation of another New Zealand youngster, Kurt Heatherley, to Melbourne to attend school as part of his scholarship.
Last Modified on 01/03/2011 13:03
