Australian Rules football in Greater Sydney took a powerful stride forward on Friday, 21 March, as over 30 community coaches converged at GIANTS HQ for a hands-on development workshop.

A collaboration between the GIANTS and AFL NSW/ACT, the event showcased the club’s commitment to giving back and upskilling those at the forefront of grassroots footy.

“This has been a great opportunity to work hand in hand with community football clubs across Greater Sydney,” GIANTS head coach Adam Kingsley said.

“We want to ensure that we’re helping up skill coaches who are at the forefront of the game and are ambassadors for it on the ground, especially here in Western Sydney.

“Footy around here is tight knit so to be able to share ideas and learn from each other makes us all stronger and richer, we’re eager to continue deepening our connection with community clubs.”

‘’When coaches thrive, players thrive - and that synergy fosters a strong environment for talent development and retention,’’ said Ryan O’Keefe, Coaching Development & Education Lead AFL NSW/ACT.

‘’By investing in our coaches through workshops like this, we’re not only helping them build better teams, but also ensuring the longevity of Aussie Rules in our communities.’’

During the workshop, Kingsley led participants through best-practice drills, effective review processes, and the importance of creating a supportive team culture. Sessions took place both in the classroom and inside the GIANTS' indoor training facility - known as ‘the cage’ - giving coaches a first-hand look at how elite training methods can be adapted to local clubs.

Whether it's learning to structure a training session or building a winning environment, the GIANTS' message was clear: skilled coaches help sustain player growth, bolster club culture, and keep the spirit of the game alive in the community. If you're keen to get involved and grow the future of Aussie Rules, visit Play.AFL/Coach to explore resources, courses, and support networks for new and experienced coaches alike.