Australia’s first women’s AFL team in Western Sydney, the Auburn Tigers, have adopted the name and colours of the GIANTS.
Formed in 2011, the Auburn Tigers have made headlines across Australia as the first women's AFL team in Western Sydney and include a number of Muslim women from diverse cultural backgrounds.
They will now become known as the Auburn GIANTS when they play in the Sydney Women’s AFL this year.
They will wear the GIANTS colours and will also play the curtain raiser to the GIANTS round 14 match against Carlton at Spotless Stadium on June 22.
Chief Executive David Matthews said: "The Auburn Tigers celebrate diversity and inclusion in Western Sydney and we are delighted to welcome them to the GIANTS family.
“To have over 100 women from culturally diverse backgrounds become involved in AFL is a powerful statement about the impact of the game in Western Sydney.
"We want to embrace the different cultures that make up Western Sydney. One of the great strengths of our game is it is open to everyone regardless of their background and the Auburn GIANTS embody that."
Auburn Tigers co-founder and football operations manager Amna Karra-Hassan said it was a major step for the club and AFL in Western Sydney.
“This partnership with the GIANTS is a fantastic opportunity to encourage people from a range of multicultural communities to be involved with AFL,” she said.
“We hope this attracts new players, supporters, sponsors and volunteers to the Auburn GIANTS and to the game a whole in Western Sydney. Together we are a powerful voice for social inclusion, respect and diversity in our communities.”
Lael Kassem from the Auburn GIANTS won the GIANTS Women in Community Football Award in 2013. She was presented with the award during a GIANTS match at Spotless Stadium.
The GIANTS have also announced that midfielder Dylan Shiel will become the player ambassador for the Auburn GIANTS.
The GIANTS will once again celebrate cultural diversity in Western Sydney with the Many Cultures match to mark AFL Multicultural Round against Geelong at Spotless Stadium on July 19
Auburn is the latest club from around Australia and overseas to become affiliated with the GIANTS. Recently the Dartmoor Swans became the Dartmoor GIANTS and last year Concord became the first junior club in Western Sydney to adopt the GIANTS name and colours.
AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Craig Bolton said: “The Auburn GIANTS represent what the AFL is building. An inclusive code that welcomes people from all backgrounds.
“It’s a great example of an AFL club strengthening ties with a community club and connecting the grassroots with the elite and is great for the game.”
