Head Coach Kevin Sheedy and GIANTS officials met with representatives of the Immigration Department in Canberra two weeks ago to discuss the idea, which will recognise people of multicultural backgrounds in Western Sydney.
Of the 1.8 million people living in Western Sydney, over a third of the population were born overseas and 180 different languages are spoken.
The match against the Demons to celebrate diversity in the community is the latest initiative by the GIANTS to engage with the multicultural communities of Western Sydney.
Sheedy, who has been a tireless advocate for Indigenous Australia and diversity, said social inclusion was a key objective of the GIANTS.
“Two weeks ago down in Canberra I was at the Immigration Department to find out the numbers of multicultural people living in Western Sydney so that we can actually invite all the nations that come to live in Australia to create a game against Melbourne later in the year,” said Sheedy.
“It’s a great opportunity for when people come into the West of Sydney that they can actually meet our club as well as any other sport,” he said.
Sheedy was speaking after some irate fans on twitter reacted to yesterday’s post match comments regarding the Immigration Department and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
“The program that I’ve always set myself is to always help build Australia and always make people feel inclusive of being a great country when they come here and I think people may have taken the wrong point of view,” said Sheedy.
“I didn’t mean anything untoward by it but it’s a fact.“
Sheedy has worked tirelessly to promote Indigenous Australia through his time at Essendon and the GIANTS with initiatives such as Dreamtime at the 'G to celebrate the contribution of all indigenous players to the AFL.
He’s also been a key part of the Lend Lease GIANTS Community Footprint program which helps indigenous students in Western Sydney gain employment.
In his time at Essendon, Sheedy also recruited the first Muslim player to the AFL, Bachar Houli, who continues to play at the highest level for Richmond.
A key aspect of the GIANTS new training and administration base at Sydney Olympic Park is the Life Learning Centre which provides educational opportunities to refugees and migrants in Western Sydney.
This facility is being run by the GIANTS Community Engagement Manager Ali Faraj, a Muslim man who started the Auburn Tigers (a Muslim AFL team) which has since spawned the Auburn Tigers women's team.
The co-founder of the Auburn Tigers women’s team, Lael Kassem was presented with the AFL Women in Community AFL award at yesterday's match between the GIANTS and the Adelaide Crows.
The Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy at Blacktown is another initiative to connect with the multicultural community with opportunities given to teenagers from a wide range of backgrounds including Indian and Sudanese.
