In celebration of a decade-long partnership with the GIANTS, Harvey Norman is proud to spotlight community changemakers through the Harvey Norman Heroes program - individuals who go above and beyond to grow the game and make a difference in their local communities.

This week’s Harvey Norman Hero is Megan Chase from the Penrith GIANTS, a long-time GIANTS supporter whose passion for the club and commitment to inclusion has inspired countless new fans - especially those experiencing AFL and AFLW for the very first time.

Originally encouraged by a family member to check out the GIANTS in their inaugural season, Megan hasn’tlooked back since.

“I’m a big ice hockey fan and my team failed to win the Stanley Cup that year and my father-in-law said, ‘Well, there’s a new AFL team just up the road in Blacktown, so why don’t you come along with me?’,” Megan recalled.

“So I took him and my niece to the club’s first ever game out in Blacktown, and we loved it. It was such a different experience - and the very next day, we became members. I signed the three of us up.”

From that moment, Megan has been there for every chapter of the GIANTS story.

“It’s been incredible. We’ve been around since the beginning. It’s been amazing to watch the club grow.”

That bond only deepened when her then-nine-year-old niece was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“The club were just phenomenal - not only to her but to the whole family. We already loved the club, but that just grew it even more.”

Two of Megan’s other nieces have followed her footsteps into the orange family, playing with the Penrith GIANTS and continuing their own playing journeys through the GIANTS Academy.

“My twin nieces, Serenity and Harper, are 12 and play in the under-13s - it’s incredible. The whole family travels around to watch them play. We absolutely love it,” she said.

Megan is particularly excited for their moment in the spotlight this weekend, with her twin nieces’ side getting to take to the field as the GIANTS’ AFLW side run out to take on the Dockers this Saturday at Henson Park.

“Their team will be part of the Guard of Honour on Saturday, which means so much. I really want the girls to be acknowledged and appreciated -not just them, but the families of all the girls who drive up to two hours to take them to games and competitions. They deserve it.”

As well as her involvement with the Penrith GIANTS, Megan is being acknowledged as this week’s Harvey Norman Hero due to her relentless effort in bringing in new fans to Australian rules football.

This is something Megan has been doing for close to 15 years, with the Quakers Hill resident taking out the club’s inaugural member recruitment competition for bringing in the most new members in the GIANTS’ first season.

That endeavour back in 2012 is a fitting reflection of the role Megan still plays today, with the mad GIANTS fan as passionate as ever in introducing new fans to the game.

“I used to work for a disability company a few years ago and we developed a reward system where if they did something well or achieved certain goals then I’d give out GIANTS merchandise,” she said.

“There were hats and scarves everywhere, and it really helped them develop a love for it.

“This year I’ve managed to take two different groups through to AFLW games, and for a lot of them it was their first ever experience with AFL or AFLW - and they absolutely loved it. A few even said they want to be members next year. It was really special to see them at the games, interacting with the players.”

Megan recalled a recent AFLW game in which some newcomers she took to the match enjoyed interacting with some of the GIANTS players after the game.

“The girls I took last week gave Tarni Evans a personalised Simpsons drawing and the joy they had watching her receive that - and how she laughed - was priceless,” We stayed back after the game and spoke to some of the players and they all had so much time for everyone - it was such a positive experience for all involved.”

Megan says that’s the beauty of AFLW.

“AFL is like nothing you’ve ever experienced until you see it live. It’s its own special type of community — especially the AFLW. There’s so much love, kindness, passion, and camaraderie when you get together with these people. Everyone’s there for the same reason -to watch something new grow.

 “I’ve also taken some of my South African friends to games and they absolutely love it. I think it’s important to show people what this game is all about so they can fall in love with it the way we have.

“It’s about giving people a chance to experience what makes this club and this game so special - and helping them fall in love with it too.”

“Women’s sport is so underrated and doesn’t get enough attention, so to be recognised [as a Harvey Norman Hero] for helping both women’s football and community sport - that’s pretty special.”