About Us

Drouin Football Club has been in existence for more than a century, during which time it has participated in several different competitions. The club enjoyed particular success during the 1940s, contesting five grand finals in half a dozen seasons — all against Pakenham — for wins in 1941, 1946 and 1949.

The 1950s brought three further grand final appearances, with the Hawks enjoying success in 1958 against Pakenham. Having competed in the West Gippsland competition between 1941 and 1959 (apart from the war years), Drouin crossed to the Latrobe Valley Football League in 1960, and remained there for six seasons. On returning to the WGFL Drouin promptly qualified for two consecutive grand finals, losing to Garfield in 1966, but overcoming Longwarry the following year.

The 1970s saw the Hawks regularly participating in the September action, but only once, in 1978, did they manage to claim a premiership, thanks to a grand final defeat of Cora Lynn. Between 1978 and 1987 Drouin never failed to contest the finals, but they were unable to add to their haul of flags. They reached three consecutive grand finals from 1981 to 1983, only to go under to Koo Wee Rup, Pakenham and Garfield.

After missing the finals in 1988 Drouin embarked on another concerted flirtation with success which saw it engage in finals football for six straight seasons for finishing positions of second, second, first, first, third and third. The grand final successes were achieved at the expense of Cora Lynn in 1991 and Garfield in ’92.

At the end of the 2001 season the West Gippsland Football League merged with the Latrobe Valley Football League, and Drouin was a founder member of the resultant competition, the West Gippsland La Trobe Valley Football League. Between 2002 and 2004 the competition was split into a premier division and a western division, with the Hawks competing in the latter. In 2005 a streamlined single division competition — known as the Gippsland Football League — was initiated, in which Drouin won 5 of 16 matches to finish seventh (of nine). The 2006 season was rather forgettable for the Hawks as they slumped to the wooden spoon after managing just 2 wins all year, a tally that was doubled a year later to propel them two places up the ladder to seventh. However, in 2008 they again plummeted to last place, albeit with the same number of victories as in 2007.

After that there was some improvement and the Hawks made finals appearances in 2009, 2010 when they lost the grand final to Maffra, and 2011 when they were losing grand finalists against Traralgon, and 2016. There have also been some disappointing seasons, most noticeably in both 2014 and 2017 when they lost all 18 matches contested en route, inevitably, to wooden spoons. They enjoyed a slightly better season in 2018 when they managed four wins and a draw from 18 games to finish eighth of 10 teams. This was followed by a promising 2019 campaign which saw the Hawks qualify for the finals in fifth place, which was where they ultimately finished after an elimination final defeat at the hands of Moe.

Drouin Hawks Netball Club commenced operating around 1964 (actual date of commencement is not known). The girls started playing in the Drouin & District Association, then a few other footy clubs caught on and the West Gippsland League took off. Not all the clubs had netball to start with. Back then, Drouin used to train and play on a court at the local primary school until around 1967 when they shifted over to the top court at the Drouin Recreation Reserve in Sinclair Street, Drouin — which remains the current home of the Drouin Hawks Netball Club. Money was raised and lighting was erected. Frank Hutt and Alf Ablett built the brick building to house the power board. Mr Moulden (father of Wendy Hickford) was President; they had three grades — two senior and one junior. They wore maroon tunics with gold cord sashes and gold undershirts.

Drouin won an A Grade premiership in 1976 and by then there were three senior grades and all football clubs had netball sides.

Drouin won the 17 & Under premiership in 1979.

Drouin Hawks Netball Club were officially incorporated in 1985.

Drouin Hawks were West Gippsland Netball Association Premiers in C Grade for three consecutive years — 1985, 1986 and 1987. These teams consisted of local identities Sue Williams, Toni Cassells and Jeannette Davies. Jeannette actually played in one premiership alongside her daughter Lisa.

Drouin’s next success was in 1995 when the 17 & Under side, coached by Sue Williams, won the premiership. This team included Linda McLeish, Claire Dean, Kelly Simpson, Shantrel Lindorff and Renee Jungwirth. In 1995, facilities were expanded to include a home team shelter. At this stage the club was still part of the WGNA which included clubs from Pakenham, Tooradin, Beaconsfield, Nar Nar Goon and Cora Lynn.

1999 – The 17 & Under side were premiers, coached by Jody Fraser (Life Member). Players included Erin Ablett, Jess Thomas, Lia Olsen and Christie Proctor.

In more recent times, Drouin Hawks have been very successful across many grades. In 2003, both the 15 & Under and B Grade sides were crowned premiers — the beginning of six consecutive B Grade premierships.

In 2005, Drouin Hawks moved into the West Gippsland Latrobe Netball Association, along with neighbours Garfield and Warragul. This nine-club competition is where the club currently competes, travelling as far as Maffra and Sale in the east and Leongatha in the south. Drouin Hawks have enjoyed much success since joining, in a competition previously dominated by Traralgon. In their inaugural season, all six Drouin sides made the finals, with premierships in A Grade, B Grade and 17 & Under, and runners-up finishes in C Grade and 13 & Under.

• 2006 – B Grade and 17 & Under premiers; runners-up in A and C Grades.
• 2007 – A and B Grade premiers; 17 & Under runners-up.
• 2008 – A Grade, B Grade and 17 & Under premiers; 13 & Under runners-up.
• 2009 – Facilities underwent a major redevelopment with court resurfacing and a new multi-use pavilion providing storage and office space for netball.

Compiled by Sharon Rippon and Jody Fraser.