The United States Ambassador to Australia Jeffery Bleich has become the first member of GLOBAL GIANTS.
The GIANTS recently launched the GLOBAL GIANTS to give the opportunity to GIANTS fans from all over the world to be part of the AFL’s newest club..
For just $50 fans around the world can purchase a GIANTS membership which includes a membership pack and exclusive weekly video content from Head Coach, Kevin Sheedy.
Those who join the GLOBAL GIANTS also go in a draw to win two tickets to the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final and a $500 resource pack for their community club of choice.
Ambassador Bleich, who has hosted the GIANTS team at the US Embassy in Canberra, said he was pleased to be a part of the global initiative and would continue to wear his orange scarf with pride at GIANTS games at Star Track Oval Canberra.
“It was an honor to be asked by the GIANTS, the namesakes of my beloved San Francisco Giants, to kick off their global initiative," Ambassador Bleich said.
“One of the great connections between the U.S. and Australia is our love of tough, physical sports.
"I started following Aussie Rules when I was still back in the States, and caught a game on ESPN. It was my first time seeing an AFL game, and I had no idea what was going on. It looked like a prison riot with a ball. But by the time the game was over, I was hooked.
"Ever since, I’ve been an advocate for this great game that combines the speed and athleticism of basketball and hockey, the kicking precision of soccer, the physical contact of football, and the endurance skills of a triathlon. No wonder over 35 U.S. cities now have Aussie Rules teams.
"So I’m especially proud to be one of those U.S.-Australia connections as the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS’ first Global GIANT.”
Greater Western Sydney GIANTS CEO David Matthews said that the club was thrilled to launch the initiative and hoped that AFL fans from around the world would join the club.
"In my previous role as General Manager of National and International Development at the AFL I have seen the incredible international growth of our game,” Matthews said.
“That growth has continued here at the GIANTS where a number of International clubs have formed alliances with our club including the South East London GIANTS, the North Leinster GIANTS (Ireland), the Zaprude GIANTS(Croatia) and the Skane GIANTS (Sweden).
"We receive a lot of inspiring fan photos from around the world including in front of the Egyptian Pyramids, the Inca trail in South America and even the basecamp of Mount Everest.
“It’s important that we give our International fans a real way to connect with the club and the GLOBAL GIANTS gives fans this opportunity,” he said.
Click here to become a member of the GLOBAL GIANTS
The GIANTS will play the Gold Coast Suns at Star Track Oval Canberra this Saturday April 27 at 1.45pm.
