Paddock Prelude
Since 2009 the Hawks have started off every new season with a black tie season launch event known as the Paddock Prelude.
In 2009 it was decided that to kick off the season a black tie dinner would be held. The club always holds a presentation night which gives the opportunity to award and acknowledge player, supporters and sponsors. The idea behind the Prelude was to prepare for the season by bringing everyone together.
The prelude is a unique event with guests seated on the field under the lights. Several names were tossed around from Field feast to the eventual elegant name of Paddock Prelude. Paddock- as the field is commonly know as; and Prelude: an event that precedes another and leads up to it.
The first dinner in 2009 was the learning curve and lots of details needed to be attended to to pull off a fully catered dinner out of a standard club house. The Royal Hotel are major sponsers of the Hawks and have done a fantastic job of catering the main meal. When the idea was first presented to the Royal, it was pleasing that they did not appear to have any reservations about doing a bit of unusual catering.
The Paddock becomes a beautiful back-drop to the long line of table and chairs. Each chair is covered and sashed in black bows. The tables are set with the black and white theme and glittering with candles. Place the guests in their finery and it goes to show that football clubs can also be full of class.
Entertainment is always provided each year and we try to make it different each year. 2011 showcased the talents of the footballers off the field and on the stage. Five senior players provided the entertainment with a football skit. The skit was well executed and enjoyed by all. In 2013 the Prelude was a great event as the club set about increasing its membership numbers, and in 2014 the paddock looked as good as ever as the members of our new women's team added some extra glamour to proceedings.
This is an event that all interested players, sponsors and supporters are welcome to attend, so we hope to see you at the 2015 Paddock Prelude.
