HAWTHORN will celebrate one of the most famous names in the club’s history at its new home in Dingley which will be called the Kennedy Community Centre.

Club legend John Kennedy Snr coached the club to its first ever premiership in 1961 and three in total, following his 164 games as a player in brown and gold.

The Hawks are moving to a 28-hectare site in Dingley, which officials hope will be the club’s home for the next 50 to 100 years.

And it will forever carry the name of one of AFL football’s most revered figures.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said the project was the most significant in the club’s history, and there was no more fitting name for it.

“The Kennedy family is synonymous with Hawthorn and is an integral part of the fabric of our football club,” Reeves said.

“The impact they’ve had on Hawthorn will be eternally felt and the Kennedy Community Centre will ensure the Kennedy name is synonymous with the past, present and future of Hawthorn Football Club.

“John was in many ways the initiator of Hawthorn’s family culture and our initial success and, along with others, laid the foundations for what has become an incredibly strong football club.”

Only current coach Alastair Clarkson has coached the Hawks in more games than Kennedy, who has a statue at the club’s current home in Waverley.

And he said he and his family were honoured by the announcement.

“Hawthorn has been very kind to the Kennedy family over many years and all of our family are honoured to be remembered in this way,” Kennedy Snr said.

“However, we must not become lost in the past; Spectemur Agendo.”

The statue of Kennedy at Waverley Park will be relocated to the entrance of the Kennedy Community Centre when the site officially becomes the new home of the Hawks.