Hawks general manager Kim Welch thanked all those who are helping coach Rob Beveridge make the team really competitive.

So much so Mr Beveridge is confident the Hawks are capable of beating any side in the league.

‘’The response from the business community through our Take Flight campaign over the off-season has been overwhelming,’’ Mr Welch said.

‘’This with the ongoing commitment of the club owners  James Spenceley and John Stratford and the fantastic support of Tory Lavalle and John White and the team at Multi Civil & Rail Services..has given us all the opportunity to again compete and represent the Illawarra on the national stage.”

Mr Lavalle said MCR had signed on as principal partner to ensure the home grown team survived.

‘’Sponsoring the Hawks is for us so exciting,” he said.

‘’We are local and we are successful and we are just trying to give back to the community. We are really hoping other companies can follow suit. We don’t want to lose the Hawks. We did not know what was going to happen at the end of last year. In years to come it will be great to say..we had a part in saving the Hawks.”

Glenn and Katia Dwarte, of McDonalds Warilla, Warrawong and Stockland Shellharbour, have supported the only remaining foundation club for 22 years and McDonalds has for more than 30.

“A big factor is they are a locally based national sporting team,” Mrs Dwarte said.

Mr Dwarte said it was a great family game that people of any age can enjoy.

Going to the Hawks is not just about sport but a great night’s entertainment.

“We take our staff...and they have a great time,” Mrs Dwarte said.

Mr Dwarte feels proud of the city and the region whenever he brings people to a game.

“Whether they win or lose we always have a good time,” he said.

Late last year when Mr Dwarte was worried that the Hawks might not survive he said to Mr Welch “as long as you are in the competition we will support you”.

Lancaster Law and Mediation’s Graham Lancaster has been involved for seven years.

He loves the fact the team and its players have a never say die attitude.

“This team is something that puts not only Wollongong but the whole of the Illawarra on the map. The Hawks benefit..the moral of the region,” he said.

Mr Lancaster wants to see a giant Hawk painted during Wonderwalls.