The GIANTS are pleased to award former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou life membership of the club for his significant contribution to building the GIANTS.

Mr Demetriou was recently ratified as a Life Member by the club’s Board, with the honour announced at a club function ahead of the GIANTS’ round 23 clash against Essendon.

Mr Demetriou is an administrator and former player who was Chief Executive Officer of the AFL from the end of 2003 through to June 2014, a key part of the critical decision-making process to install the League’s 18^th club in Western Sydney.

GIANTS Chief Executive Officer, David Matthews, congratulated Mr Demetriou on the honour.

“I was fortunate enough to work for and alongside Andrew for a long period of time,” Mr Matthews said.

“He provided outstanding leadership to oversee significant growth of our game across Australia over his entire tenure as Chief Executive of the AFL.

“His courage and vision have been fundamental to the expansion of the game, and he helped lay a strong foundation for the GIANTS in Western Sydney and Canberra.”

GIANTS Chairman, Tony Shepherd AO, also paid tribute to Mr Demetriou’s contribution to the club.

“The GIANTS’ continued development in NSW and the ACT will be one of many legacies that Andrew will deserve to enjoy for years to come,” Mr Shepherd said.

“We thank Andrew for his long-time support of our club, and he will always be part of our GIANTS family.”

Mr Demetriou said he was thrilled to become a GIANTS Life Member.

“I was shocked and pleasantly surprised, and very humbled and honoured,” Mr Demetriou said.

“I always tell my children that they [the GIANTS] are like a child to me, because I was part of the inception of the club, so it does feel like a family.

“I’ve always felt a very warm welcome when I’m around the club and I’m just thrilled to see the culture and the atmosphere that’s been built at the club.”

The former AFL CEO said he was thrilled with the progress of the game in NSW and the ACT.

“On reflection, expansion of the competition was a massive effort, and we had a great team and it’s really pleasing to see the progress that’s being made in NSW and the ACT, particularly with two AFL clubs there and the women’s competition there as well.”