Father of the GIANTS and inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy has been made an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.

The honour was bestowed on Sheedy for his distinguished service to Australian rules football as senior coach, and to education and employment programs for young people.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1998 and was the co-founder of AFL Sportsready, Education and Employment.

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Sheedy led the GIANTS in the club’s first two seasons (2012 and 2013) as senior coach after a highly-decorated career at Richmond (three-time premiership player) and Essendon (four-time premiership coach).

Following his time as coach, Sheedy sat on the GIANTS Board of Directors and was the first person to become a life member of the club. The club champion award for the AFL team is also named after him.

Sheedy has played an active role in many of the AFL’s great traditions, including Dreamtime at the ‘G and the ANZAC Day match.

Kevin Sheedy at the 2018 Australian Rules Football Hall of Fame night.

Last year, Sheedy was elevated to Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

His coaching nous and work with indigenous communities across the country sees Sheedy sit amongst the most influential people in the game’s history.

Speaking on the honour, Sheedy said: “It's a privilege and an honour. There are many wonderful Australians doing a lot of work for people that need help and people that probably need that extra sort of positiveness around their life. 

"We've been able to achieve lots of wonderful things with football and the AFL over the last 50 years.”

GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd AO congratulated Sheedy on behalf of everyone involved with the club.

“Kevin has had an unparalleled impact on our game over five decades and is a deserving recipient of this honour,” said Mr Shepherd.

“Few others have had the vision for a national game that Kevin has, and he has worked tirelessly to help grow our game to the level that it is today.

“The GIANTS have experienced significant growth in a short space of time in Western Sydney and Canberra and Kevin is an integral part of this. 

“Kevin has always seen football as a vehicle to bring people of all backgrounds together and today’s honour is fitting recognition for his contribution to our society.”

Kevin Sheedy waves to the crowd in his final home game as coach in 2013.