The GIANTS are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Costello to the club's Board of Directors.

Mr Costello is the chief executive of ActewAGL and becomes the GIANTS' second Canberra based director alongside Peter Taylor.

Mr Costello was previously Deputy Managing Director of the Australian Stock Exchange and secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Industrial Relations.

He has also held a number of diplomatic posts including Ambassador to the United Nations and received an Order of Australia (AO) in 1996 for international relations

GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd welcomed Mr Costello to the GIANTS Board.

"Michael brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his career in business and the public service and will make a significant contribution to the GIANTS," Mr Shepherd said.

"He also gives us greater representation in Canberra where we play four games each year and which is an integral part of this club. We want to continue to grow the game in the national capital where we enjoy fantastic support.

"We saw that last week during the recent Australia Post AFL Community Camp and we have created a genuine AFL club presence in a city steeped in Australian football heritage."

The GIANTS will play the Swans in their first NAB Challenge match at StarTrack Oval Canberra on February 20 followed by three Toyota AFL premiership matches against the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
 
Mr Shepherd said Gus Seebeck had decided to step down from the Board to focus on his business commitments.

"Gus has given great service as football director since the GIANTS were first formed and I want to thank him for everything he has done during this very important phase of the club's history," he said.

"Gus has an ongoing commitment to the game in NSW and the ACT through his involvement with the local AFL competition with the Sydney Hills Eagles and will always be a friend of the GIANTS."