The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have launched a partnership with Soldier On to help returned Australian servicemen and women wounded while serving their country.
 
The community partnership was announced as the players visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra as part of the club’s Australia Post AFL Community Camp.
 
The GIANTS will play the Gold Coast Suns in an historic ANZAC Day match at StarTrack Oval Canberra in one of four matches in the national capital in 2015.
 
Soldier On works to enhance recovery, inspire communities and empower Australians who have suffered physical and psychological injuries while in the Defence forces.
 
The GIANTS will work with Soldier On through a range of initiatives in Western Sydney and Canberra including fundraising support, inner sanctum experiences for veterans and mentoring programs.
 
GIANTS Chief Operating Officer Richard Griffiths said the GIANTS were proud to partner with Soldier On.
 
“As a football club, we aim to enrich the lives of people in Western Sydney, Canberra and our broader communities,” he said.
 
“Soldier On run a range of programs to support wounded men and women and we hope to play a small but important role as they continue their recovery.
 
Soldier On CEO John Bale said the partnership would be of great benefit to those who’ve been wounded.
 
"Soldier On is proud to be working with the GWS GIANTS to support veterans in NSW and the ACT,” he said.
 
“The similarities between sports people and those who serve mean they can learn a lot from each other.
 
“Athletes are all too familiar with the importance of good teamwork, leadership and training in preparation for doing their job well, and can often relate to the devastating effect an injury can have on a career and the health and happiness of a veteran and their families.
 
“We hope that through this partnership, we can highlight how the Australian population can engage with those wounded while serving, and how they invest in securing them a positive future," he said.
 
For more information, visit www.soldieron.org.au