The Awards, now in their 25th year, are a NSW Government initiative run by Multicultural NSW. The GIANTS’ promotion of AFL Multicultural Round was recognised at a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House tonight.
The Australian Multicultural Marketing Awards recognise multicultural marketing, in particular organisations that demonstrate vision, awareness, innovation and leadership in communications.
Using the theme of 'Many Cultures, One Game', the GIANTS celebrated cultural diversity at their match against Geelong at Spotless Stadium.
In the week leading up to the game the GIANTS hosted an Iftar dinner at the club's headquarters with key community leaders and members of the Islamic and broader multicultural community.
A pre-match citizenship ceremony for over 50 new Australian citizens was hosted by GIANTS number one ticket holder Melissa Doyle before they were presented on-field at half time by GIANTS inaugural coach and director Kevin Sheedy.
There were on field performances by Irish, South Pacific and Haka dancers, Arabic drummers and Chinese Lion, Irish and African dancers both pre-game and at half-time.
The stadium concourse featured drumming workshops, prayer tents, henna tattoos, GOAL signs translated into Punjabi, Dinka, Mandarin and Arabic as well as theming welcoming fans to the game in 17 different languages.
International students formed a guard of honour as GIANTS players entered the stadium and both GIANTS and Geelong players wore orange bootlaces to represent harmony.
The game was also broadcast live in Mandarin on Muse Sydney Chinese Radio 87.6 FM and on the Internet.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the club was honoured to be recognised in just the second year it has hosted the event.
"I want to thank our fans and the people of Western Sydney for their support. As a new club in Western Sydney we want to reach new communities who can enrich our game," he said.
"The GIANTS have a strong commitment to diversity and raising awareness of the game in multicultural communities through programs such as the Lend Lease GIANT Community Footprint and Woolworths nutrition program.
"We want these sort of programs and activities to be ongoing part of our club and match day experience as we continue to welcome new fans and celebrate everything that is great about Western Sydney."
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan congratulated the GIANTS on the award.
"It's well deserved recognition of the many programs and initiatives the GIANTS are undertaking to embrace new communities, particularly in Western Sydney," he said,
In 2014 the GIANTS also established a partnership with multicultural women's AFL team the Auburn GIANTS, formerly known as the Auburn Tigers.
The GIANTS also became the first AFL club on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
