A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE – WOMEN'S ROUND
This week the AFL has designated the Round of matches to celebrate the role of women in football. Whilst it may be one week to celebrate and reflect on the contribution of women to the game, the reality is that the contribution is made by many women, every day and all year. And it is a contribution that is greatly appreciated and understood at our Club.
At the GIANTS, the role of women in our Club starts at the top with two members of our Board – Gabrielle Trainor and Christine Cawsey; one of my key Executives - General Manager, Fan Development Rebecca Shaw; and of course our Number 1 Ticket Holder Melissa Doyle.
In 2012, one of our Player Welfare team, Melissa Lambert was awarded the 'GIANT Football Woman of the Year'. The 2013 Award will be presented at our upcoming Ladies Lunch event on July 12 at the Star – our events and our Executive are managed by a fantastic young contributor in Tiffany Wass.
Opportunities abound for women within our Club whether it be as employees, volunteers, sponsors or fans. In fact, 40% of our non–coaching staff are women; 30% of our 12,600 members are female. And with such a young playing group, I can tell you the role of Mums and families is central to our development as a Club.
We are proud to be an inclusive club and we thank the women involved for the outstanding contribution they continue to make at every level.
David Matthews
Chief Executive
WORKING FOR THE GIANTS
Bec Shaw reflects on her role with the Club and her career in the AFL industry.
Having joined the Brisbane Lions in 2004 in the membership department I have enjoyed watching the number of women in AFL and the profile of women across all areas of this great game grow.
I didn't grow up with AFL Football. My parents didn't passionately follow a team to pass down the tradition of barracking for a club. In my early days working for the Lions I learnt about the game through a supportive group of men and some very passionate women including fellow employees and fans at the Lions and state body, AFL Queensland.
In 2010 we decided it was time to return to Sydney. I was lucky enough, having been in an executive role with the Brisbane Lions for a number of years, and having developed a love of the game, to continue working in the AFL as the Fan Development and Marketing Manager for NSW/ACT.
The GIANTS became my new passion. The excitement of growing the game in a new market, one that I lived in and a community my family are a part of, and one that prioritises inclusion made the decision very easy when I was asked by the CEO, Dave Matthews to officially become a member of his executive team just prior to our first game in 2012, Sydney Derby I.
Women's Round is just one week on our AFL calendar, and it is a time to reflect on the contribution of the women that I have met in the time since i first joined the AFL and the possibilities for the future, including my own personal goals.
I am excited to be a part of the AFL NSW/ACT's Female Advisory Committee. A group of influential women who meet on a regular basis to discuss ways to further grow the game including the involvement of women whether it be as fans, players, volunteers, coaches, umpires or the many other key roles.
I have been honored to get to know so many great women through my time at the AFL. Each year a specific theme is chosen for Women's Round. This year 'talent' is a focus, and tonight the first AFL sanctioned game contested by women will be played with teams representing Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. I have worked with some of these women over the years and I can only imagine knowing their passion, the excitement and the honour they would be feeling today to be a part of this.
I love being a part of the AFL and now more specifically the GIANTS. As a women and a Mum I look forward to many years to come and seeing the continuing contribution to women in this great game.
