The Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy today held its first ever Boots vs Suits match taking on a spirited team of Slater & Gordon Parramatta lawyers and friends at The King's School in Parramatta.
Young players from Western Sydney competed in the game which was umpired by GWS GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy.
The Slater & Gordon Lawyers pulled of a giant upset , taking the game 36 to 30.
The match, which is set to become an annual event, was part of a four-day development camp for 60 young members of the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy from across NSW and the ACT.
Kevin Sheedy said that while the scoreboard wasn't the focus of the match, there was plenty of skill on show from the young academy players.
"Our young academy boys might have them covered in the talent stakes, but it was great to see some the Slater & Gordon Lawyers getting involved," said Sheedy.
"This is a very important partnership for us and it's important that we find ways to involve our community partners with this club. I really applaud Slater & Gordon for its commitment to our Academy.
"The Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy is a critical to us being able to develop home grown talent from Western Sydney, NSW and the ACT."
Slater & Gordon Parramatta Practice Group Leader, Steven Mousas, said the GWS GIANTS Academy is an important initiative that is helping develop the sporting talents of young footballs from Western Sydney.
"We have more than 13 young western Sydney players in the Academy, all of them have a real chance of going on to become first grade players for the GIANTS.
"Slater & Gordon made a decision not to just be a financial sponsor of the Academy. We are keen to play an active role in the growth and development of these players and offer as much support as we can on and off the field."
"We look forward to at least one or two of these young men pulling on a jumper in a few years time and representing western Sydney as part of the GIANTS," Mr Mousas said.
Academy Manager Lachlan Buszard was thrilled with the four-day training camp the players had taken part in.
"This premise of the Slater & Gordon Academy is not just about football, we are trying to help develop the skills young people need to build strong career opportunities and positive life choice by exploring the importance of nutrition and fitness, addressing risk taking behaviour and the importance of education."
