HerCanberra magazine go inside the GIANT Hearts Canberra chapter to discover a group of like-minded business women who have become part of the GIANTS family.

Because it’s AFL, you may be thinking, ‘this isn’t my cup of tea’.

But for a moment, let’s forget about the game. We’ll come back to that later. Think instead of getting together with like-minded business women, enjoying an hors d’oeuvre or a meal, having a laugh, and perhaps sipping on a smooth Hope Estate champagne or two.

In its inaugural year, the GIANT Hearts Canberra chapter has shown that it offers something quite unique to business women in Canberra. It boasts a membership of 20 women, with high hopes of at least doubling that in 2016.

For Lollypotz owner and 2013 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Award winner Louise Curtis, the goal was to create a networking opportunity a little out of the ordinary. “When the GIANTS approached me to help them start and grow the GIANT Hearts in Canberra, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity,” says Louise.

Louise worked with another local business woman, Vickie Read from Affinity Electrical Technologies, and GWS GIANTS Business Development Manager, Jack Masters, to fashion a package that would offer value for money and plenty of opportunities for the group to get together. The aim was to impart a warm and welcoming vibe, and in only the first season for the Canberra Hearts, they were able to achieve this.

There were numerous events on offer to network as the members got to know each other better. These included a Sydney luncheon to meet up with a broader representation of business people, and a Hotel Kurrajong ladies brunch emceed by number one ticket holder, Melissa Doyle, with a keynote talk from Kitty Chiller.

“Hearing Kitty Chiller give her inspirational account of being Australia’s first female Chef de Mission for the 2016 Australian Olympic team was a highlight for me,” says Vickie.

Although Louise is one of those die-hard AFL fanatics, there are other GIANT Hearts members who only attended their first AFL football game this year as part of their membership. “The best thing about the GIANT Hearts is that you don’t have to be a football fan to be part of the group – the love of the game comes later, without you even realising it!” says Louise. 

The GIANTS gave an impressive showing in 2015 and the Hearts were lucky enough to catch some close contests, meet a few players, hear the coach speak, and take home some new insights into the world of professional sportsmanship.

For years, football in Canberra has been bringing boys, girls, families, men and women together. And having ‘our own’ team in the GWS GIANTS is something many Canberrans have demonstrated that they want to be part of.

This was particularly evident on 25 July when Canberra filled StarTrack Oval Canberra for the GWS GIANTS’ first ever match day sell-out.

“For that game day, the Hearts were treated to a fantastic brunch, then corporate hospitality throughout the game,” says Vickie. “It’s a special time to be part of the GIANT Hearts as we are building something especially for women in the Canberra footy community.” 

Louise agrees that the mix of networking and football has been a match made in heaven; “Great new business connections have been made, as well as having a pile of fun,” she says.

That’s what GIANT Hearts Canberra has on offer. It’s an opportunity to belong, to have a good time, to share business knowledge, and if you want to, watch some exciting footy in your home town. 

The GIANT Hearts are a group of diverse women who share the vision of and passion for the club and actively promote women’s involvement within the GWS GIANTS.

To find out more about joining the GIANT Hearts in Canberra or Sydney, contact the club on 02 8736 4000 or visit www.gwsgiants.com.au/GIANTHearts

This article first appeared on HerCanberra - HerCanberra is a hyper-local media platform that has become THE voice for local women. Her City. Her News. Her Life. Connecting you with the Canberra we know and love.