The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have unveiled plans to celebrate Head Coach Kevin Sheedy's 1000th game against Port Adelaide at ŠKODA Stadium on August 4.
Sheedy will become the first person in the history of the VFL-AFL to reach the milestone of 1000 games as a player and coach. This includes premiership matches, pre-season/night competition, state and international matches.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the game would be a fitting tribute to one of the greats of Australian football. “We want this to be a big celebration of Kevin’s remarkable contribution to the game over more than 40 years and I urge all AFL and sports fans regardless of which team they support to get along to ŠKODA Stadium,” he said.
"In particular we'd love to see lots of Richmond and Essendon fans come along and acknowledge the tremendous service he gave to those two clubs through seven premierships as a player and coach. He has been a tireless ambassador for the game through initiatives such as the traditional Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon and Dreamtime at the `G.
"Over the past three years he has helped establish the AFL's newest club in Western Sydney and Canberra and recently we announced our club champion award would be named the Kevin Sheedy Medal in honour of his contribution to the GIANTS."
To mark Kevin Sheedy’s 1000th game, the GIANTS are offering:
· A special $20 general admission ticket for the match which will include a commemorative Kevin Sheedy 1000 flag. All 2012 GIANTS Members who attend the match will also receive a flag
· A motorcade before the match and special guard of honour by both teams
· The chance for fans to meet Sheedy after the game and have a photograph and autograph with him. The team will also be in attendance and fans will be invited to take part in kick tokick on ŠKODA Stadium
· Fans can leave a message on a commemorative wall inside ŠKODA Stadium
· A number of prominent people including Prime Minister Julia Gillard, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, Collingwood President Eddie McGuire and Essendon coach James Hird have also recorded special tributes to Sheedy that will be played on the screen at Skoda Stadium during the match.
“At this Saturday’s game against Collingwood at ŠKODA Stadium we will have a video booth where fans can come along and record their tributes to Kevin and we will also play these on thescreen during his 1000th game,” Matthews said.
This Saturday's game at ŠKODA Stadium, Sheedy' 999th, will pay tribute to the people who have helped build Australia with the inaugural ‘Building Australia’ match against Collingwood. Sponsored by Cbus Property, the `Building Australia’ game will recognise everyday Australian heroes who helped build the nation's infrastructure with a parade before the match.
"This has been another great initiative by Kevin Sheedy and we look forward to the opportunity to pay tribute to the workers of Australia and also our great coach when we return to ŠKODA Stadium for back to back matches for the first time this year," Matthews said.
Kevin Sheedy’s playing and coaching career
Player – 251 premiership matches, 8 pre-season / night competition matches, 8 state matches
Coach – 653 premiership premiership matches, 72 pre-season / night competition matches, four state matches and four international matches
Total at Round 19 on August 4 – 1000 matches
