The Auburn GIANTS’ dream of playing at the MCG will become a reality next month when the women’s AFL team plays before the GIANTS’ match against Collingwood.

The historic match on Sunday, June 14 has come about thanks to a partnership between Harvey Norman and the GWS GIANTS, with the assistance of the AFL.

The Auburn GIANTS team includes a number of Muslim women from diverse cultural backgrounds and were the first women’s AFL team in Western Sydney.

GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd, Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page and GIANTS young gun Dylan Shiel were on hand to tell the girls the good news at the GIANTS’ Learning Life Centre on Tuesday.

“I was running a training session with the Auburn GIANTS football team and half-way through Tony Shepherd and Katie Page came out and surprised the girls by announcing to them they’re going to play at the MCG before the Collingwood-GIANTS game,” Shiel said.

“It’s very exciting news for them and they’re looking forward to it.”

It will be the first time any of the Auburn GIANTS players have visited the home of AFL, the MCG.

Auburn GIANTS founder and player Amna Karra-Hassan said it’s a dream come true.

“To have the opportunity to play at the MCG is incredible and the girls are very excited.

“The Auburn GIANTS have come a long way in such a short space of time and this wouldn’t be possible without the support of Harvey Norman, the GWS GIANTS and the AFL.”

The Auburn GIANTS were formed in 2011 as the Auburn Tigers and play in the Sydney Women’s AFL competition.

They changed their name and colours to the GIANTS at the beginning of 2014.

GWS GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd said he was thrilled the Auburn GIANTS have the opportunity to play at the MCG.

“This team continue to break down barriers and we are proud to have them as part of the GIANTS,” Shepherd said.

“One of the great strengths of our game is it is open to everyone regardless of their background and the Auburn GIANTS embody that.

“We requested the AFL’s support to make this happen as we believe it’s an important story to tell nationally.

“Our co-major partner Virgin Australia has also played a key role in this by providing return flights to Melbourne for the Auburn GIANTS and I thank them for their support.”

Harvey Norman was announced as the major sponsor of the Auburn GIANTS in March, the first time the company has been involved in AFL.

The number of women playing AFL across Australia grew by 15 per cent last year to 195,000.