Like you, I can’t wait for the 2015 season to start and genuinely believe there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the club.
Just as we have much to look forward to, we also have a lot to be proud of as we reflect on the past 12 months. Indeed, 2014 will be remembered as a year in which the GIANTS took some big strides on and off the field.
In January we moved into our new state of the art training and administration facility, the Learning Life Centre, at Sydney Olympic Park. For the first time the club had a place to call home and this has been tremendously beneficial for our players and staff.
We’ve also welcomed hundreds of school students from across Western Sydney who’ve taken part in the Woolworths Nutrition Program under the guidance of our Community Engagement Manager Ali Faraj.
It has also enabled us to welcome our fans into the club for various events including post match functions, open training sessions, family days and the recent practice match at Tom Wills Oval featuring the Australian International Rules team.
Six weeks after we moved into the Learning Life Centre we celebrated one of the most significant milestones in the club's short history, our first win over the Swans at Spotless Stadium.
None of the 17,000 fans who attended the match will ever forget an extraordinary night with a massive electrical storm stopping play before the GIANTS stormed home to a memorable 32-point win.
It was the first of six wins for the season, including our first win on the road, our first back to back wins, our first win at the MCG and first win at Etihad Stadium.
Full marks to the players and entire football staff led by Gubby Allan and Leon Cameron for the way they fought back after consecutive 100-point losses mid-season. They showed the sort of character and resilience that’s become a hallmark of the club.
The addition of experienced players in Shane Mumford, Josh Hunt and Heath Shaw had a noticeable impact on team performance and Shane was a deserved winner of the Kevin Sheedy Medal in his first year at the club.
Off the field the club continued to build on the solid foundations laid during the first two years. We welcomed a new co-major partner in Virgin Australia and we signed a record 13,000 members, including more than 3,000 members in Canberra.
With a strong fixture at Spotless Stadium and StarTrack Oval next year, we have no doubt that support will only grow as the club enjoys more success in the years to come. We are especially looking forward to the year ahead in Canberra including the first ever Anzac Day match in the nation's capital.
We have recently finalised our strategic plan for the next five years and we will have more to say about this in early 2015, in particular our vision for on-field success.
Our purpose is clear. We want to build a great club like no other. A club that wins premierships, delivers best family entertainment and enriches the lives of people in Western Sydney, Canberra and our broader communities.
We’re proud of our community programs delivered through the Lend Lease GIANT Community Footprint and were delighted to recently win an Australian Multicultural Marketing Award for our work on AFL Multicultural Round, 'Many Cultures One Game'.
Likewise we were proud to be recognised with a UWS Excellence in Partnership Award for our work with students in Western Sydney. This will continue to be a focus for us as a club in partnership with the University of Western Sydney.
We have great corporate and community partners as we do GIANTS clubs who proudly wear our colours wherever they are right around the world.
In particular, I want to thank Virgin Australia, Lifebroker, the ACT Government led by Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Cabcharge, Spotless, Dyldam, Host Plus, PM Capital, StarTrack, Lend Lease, Slater&Gordon and Woolworths.
With the recruitment of All-Australian midfielder Ryan Griffen and dual Brisbane best and fairest winner Joel Patfull we believe the journey ahead if an exciting one and that finals are within reach in the next two years.
Already a number of young players such as Lachie Whitfield, Jon Patton, Toby Greene, Adam Tomlinson, Nick Haynes, and Josh Kelly have committed to the club long term and I've got every confidence that others will follow.
We have a talented, hard working, united and loyal young playing group that is determined to finish the job they started. Like you, they are hungry for success
Thank you for your ongoing support. We value it highly and want to repay the faith you’ve shown in us. As our song says, we will never surrender.
On behalf of the GIANTS, I want to wish you and your families a happy Christmas and a safe and relaxing holiday season.
See you in 2015.
Regards,
David Matthews
