AFLW star Rebecca Beeson has joined the Hawks, with the GWS Giant committing to the club for the 2018 VFLW season.

Despite being born and bred in NSW, Beeson, who played all seven of the Giants’ games in last year’s inaugural season, is set to temporarily relocate to Melbourne at the conclusion of her second AFLW season in what is a major coup for the Hawks.

“I really wanted to come down and play VFLW and I didn’t have a club lined up,” the 165cm half forward said.

“I got in contact with (Head of Football Special Projects) Rob McCartney, he was fantastic, and from what he told me and from our conversations I really felt like Hawthorn was the right club for me.

“Everything Hawthorn is doing in the female football space is very exciting, and it looks like the club has a great future in this area.

“My number one priority is of course the upcoming AFLW season and my ongoing career with the Giants, but I’m really looking forward to jumping on board with the Hawks later this year and becoming a part of the club’s growing women’s program.”

Considered one of the Giants’ most promising young stars, Beeson says she feels honoured to have played part in the competition’s inaugural season.

“I’m absolutely loving my time with the Giants, and the way that the public has caught onto the AFLW is incredible.

“It’s super exciting thinking what the competition is going to look like in five years’ time when clubs like Hawthorn have their AFL licences and the competition expands even further.”

Read: VFLW stalwarts join the Hawks

Drafted from the UNSW Eastern Suburbs Stingrays, the 20-year old is set for some big changes in 2018, as she’s also shifted her university studies (a double degree in Commerce and Media) from Sydney down to Melbourne.

“One of the main reasons why l've decided to move to Melbourne is to experience living in a new city which’ll allow me to challenge myself and grow as a person as I’ll essentially have to start over again with a new job, a new footy club, and I’ll have to make new friends,” Beeson said.

“Obviously, football is central to my decision to move but I also feel it’s important to continue developing other areas of my life along the way as well.”

Beeson also hails from a diverse background, with her mother of Taiwanese heritage, and says the game’s multiculturalism is something she’d love to help celebrate in her time with the Hawks.

“I’m all about diversity in the game of AFL,” she said.

“The sport has welcomed me with open arms, and it’s welcomed people from a variety of cultures into a wonderful game and a wonderful environment for people to feel included.

“If I can use my background to promote the game, promote the club and promote diversity within the league, then I will do that as best as I can.”