As the GIANTS build towards their blockbuster Opening Round clash with the Hawks on Saturday, the club has spent the past month doing what it does best off the field – connecting with its community.
Across Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra, players and staff have immersed themselves in schools, junior clubs and cultural celebrations, ensuring the orange and charcoal presence has been felt far and wide in the early stages of 2026.
Wollongong Open Training and Junior Super Clinic
The GIANTS kicked off their pre-season community engagements on the South Coast, welcoming fans to North Dalton Park in Wollongong for a special open training session on Wednesday, January 21.
As part of their pre-season camp in Wollongong, Adam Kingsley’s squad hit the track where fans were welcomed along to watch preparations unfold ahead of the 2026 AFL season. Following training players took part in a signing and selfie session, giving supporters in the region the chance to get up close with their AFL heroes.
The day also featured a Junior Super Clinic delivered in partnership with AFL South Coast which provided a fun, inclusive and engaging environment for young participants from across the South Coast, with AFL development staff guiding the next generation through skill-based activities.
GIANTS Iftar Unites the Community
On Saturday, February 21, a cherished tradition continued at GIANTS HQ as the club hosted its twelfth annual GIANTS Iftar event in partnership with the Bachar Houli Foundation.
More than 700 guests attended the evening, which celebrates cultural diversity and marks the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. The event once again showcased the club’s commitment to inclusion and bringing people together from all walks of life.
The night featured a range of special guests, including Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed, alongside proud Muslims Bachar Houli and Ahmed Saad, as well as a strong contingent of the GIANTS’ AFL playing squad.
The Iftar remains one of the highlights of the club’s calendar, reinforcing the GIANTS’ role as a leader in diversity and community engagement within Australian sport.
Canberra Community Visit
Two weeks ago, members of the GIANTS’ AFL playing group travelled to the nation’s capital in conjunction with the club’s Canberra Season Launch.
Players including Darcy Jones, Toby Bedford and club legend Josh Kelly spent time engaging with the passionate Canberra community, visiting local schools and football clubs to strengthen ties in a region that has become a proud GIANTS stronghold.
Engaging with 16 schools, eight clubs, and nearly 3000 kids, the visit ensured that as anticipation builds for the season ahead, the connection between the club and its Canberra supporters remains stronger than ever.
Western Sydney Community Camp
The GIANTS’ Western Sydney Community Camp saw the club engage thousands across a jam-packed week of grassroots football and school visits. Headlined by the GIANTS Junior Pre-Season Cup, which featured 150 young players and development workshops for coaches and umpires, the camp also included visits to nine junior clubs (700 participants) and three schools, connecting with 1,500 students. From skills sessions and round-robin matches to classroom talks focused on teamwork, resilience and healthy lifestyles, players shared their experiences and built meaningful connections throughout the region. The initiative showcased the club’s strong commitment to growing the game and inspiring the next generation across Western Sydney.
Junior Pre-Season Cup Delivers Big Numbers
On Sunday, February 22, the GIANTS partnered with AFL NSW/ACT to host a Youth Gala Day, with almost the entire AFL playing squad on hand to engage with more than 200 children from junior football clubs across Greater Sydney.
The day featured a round-robin football competition as part of the GIANTS Junior Pre-Season Cup, which saw 150 junior participants take part. Off the field, 30 AFL Sydney coaches attended a dedicated coaching workshop, while 30 AFL Sydney junior umpire coaches were involved in an umpiring workshop. A further 40 new umpires participated in an umpire “come and try” session.
The Gala Day showcased not only the talent coming through the ranks but also the GIANTS’ investment in developing coaches, umpires and volunteers who form the backbone of community football.
Junior Club Visits
The following day, GIANTS players fanned out across Sydney to visit nine local junior clubs, engaging with approximately 700 community club junior participants.
From skills sessions to Q&As and photo opportunities, the visits provided young footballers with direct access to their heroes while reinforcing the club’s commitment to nurturing the grassroots game.
School Blitz Across Sydney
Rounding out a busy week, the GIANTS conducted a school blitz last Friday, visiting three schools and connecting with 1,500 students.
Players delivered key messages to the young students around healthy lifestyles, teamwork and resilience, while also sharing their journeys to the AFL. Even with conditions impacting parts of the day, the enthusiasm from students ensured the visits were a resounding success.
In just over a month, the GIANTS have:
- Engaged 150 participants in the GIANTS Junior Pre-Season Cup
- Delivered workshops to 30 AFL Sydney coaches
- Hosted 30 AFL Sydney junior umpire coaches
- Welcomed 40 new umpires through a “come and try” session
- Visited nine junior clubs, engaging 700 participants
- Connected with 1,500 students across three schools
- Brought together more than 700 guests at the annual GIANTS Iftar
As the countdown to Opening Round continues, the GIANTS’ impact off the field is already clear. From Wollongong to Canberra and across Greater Sydney, the club’s commitment to community remains as strong as its pursuit of success in 2026.
