In just eight short years, the GIANTS have reached a hugely significant milestone, passing 30,000 members for the first time.
Sitting at 30,004 members, the GIANTS have smashed last year’s mark of 25,527 ahead of Saturday afternoon’s blockbuster clash with Collingwood at GIANTS Stadium.
The 18 per cent increase takes the GIANTS to the second-highest membership tally across all codes in New South Wales, only behind only the Sydney Swans and ahead of all NRL clubs.
In eight years the GIANTS have recorded a new membership milestone every season, starting with 10,241 members back in 2012.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the milestone is a landmark achievement for the club.
“This is a significant day for the GIANTS and the AFL,” he said.
“To hit 30,000 members in just our eighth season in the AFL illustrates our growth and the connection we have with our communities.
“Sydney is the most competitive sporting market in the world so to reach this milestone so quickly - quicker than any other club at the elite level - is something the club, the code and our members can be proud of.
“To think that we started less than a decade ago with no team name, no colours, no staff and no players; to be where we are today is phenomenal.
“We’re proud of the hugely entertaining, safe, family friendly match day experience we’ve created at GIANTS Stadium and it’s a big reason that once someone comes to a GIANTS game for the first time, they come back again.
“Across our AFL, AFL Women’s and GIANTS Netball teams, we have a broad and diverse supporter base with members who have crossed from other teams and codes, or whose children have introduced them to our great game.
“From a range of places, ages and cultures, I want to thank every one of our 30,004 members in New South Wales, the ACT, across Australia and abroad for helping us reach this extraordinary number.”
Jake Clark from Jamisontown in Western Sydney became the 30,000th member when he rang the club late on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve been on board for a few years but work commitments had made it tough to get to games lately,” Jake said.
“But with the club getting close to the milestone, I wanted to make sure I signed myself and my partner up to be part of this journey.
“I’m pretty proud to be the 30,000th member as I love what the club has done for Western Sydney.”
A self-confessed sports nut, Jake said he’s looking forward to getting to as many of the four remaining GIANTS home games as he can.
“I love the atmosphere at GIANTS Stadium. It’s a great day out with family and friends so I encourage as many people as possible to get along and cheer on the mighty GIANTS this weekend against Collingwood.”
GIANTS Head of Membership and Ticketing Carly Reger highlighted the hard work put in across the organisation to reach this mark in the club’s eighth season.
“In the last two years, we’ve seen membership growth of 50% with more and more people engaging with the GIANTS than ever before," she said.
“We’re proud to be a club like no other and our passion for our members and connection with them stands us apart from most other sporting organisations.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the huge amount of effort put in by the whole club, but especially our ticketing and membership team who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone.
“With four home games still to come, hopefully we can keep growing this number and continue to break new ground as a club in 2019.”
