This time last year Tom Mitchell was amidst his first pre-season in the brown and gold.

Having crossed over from the Sydney Swans, Mitchell quickly built a reputation as the Hawks’ premier ball-getter and went on to win the Peter Crimmins Medal in a stellar debut season.

This January, the Hawks find themselves welcoming a new Mitchell to the fold.

Chelsea Mitchell has signed on to Hawthorn’s VFL Women’s side.

Despite only having two seasons of football under her belt, the former professional gymnast has quickly taken to the game. After a season playing for her high school team in 2016, Mitchell was picked up by the Oakleigh Chargers in 2017 and managed five games in her debut TAC Cup season.

Mitchell comes from strong footballing pedigree. Her father, Barry, played 221 games over a 13-year career with Sydney, Collingwood and Carlton and won an All Australian selection in 1991. Her brother Tom was awarded his maiden All Australian guernsey in 2017.

But the youngest of the Mitchell clan isn’t about to rest on her last name, with the 19-year-old committed to improving her skills and forging her own successes in the brown and gold.

“I am pretty new to this sport, and it’s exciting to know that a lot of my development is still to come,” Mitchell said.

“My main goals for the season ahead are just to improve my skills and confidence out on the field, and to take a few risks and not shy away from the contest.”

Like her brother, the 170cm Mitchell spent the majority of her time last year in the midfield.

“I love playing on the ball,” she said.

“I see the footy, and I chase the footy, so I think that’s the position I’m most suited to.”

Mitchell is the youngest in the family of five, with middle brother Will also a keen footballer playing for Old Carey, and mum Sandra a pillar of support in her footballing family.

“Mum does so much for all of us.

“She is really supportive, and encourages all of us to go for our goals.

“And having Dad and both my brothers playing footy is so helpful as I know I can always go to them with questions or for tips on my game.”

Help us ensure our team has every opportunity to inspire and engage young girls to play football.

Make a donation to the Hawthorn Football Club Foundation now.