Samantha Waters, General Manager of Sponsorships for Harvey Norman and one of the club’s great community champions has been honoured as the GIANTS Woman of the Year for 2026.
A tireless advocate for women’s sport and of the GIANTS AFLW program since its early days, Waters’ role in the relationship between the GIANTS and Harvey Norman has been both integral, and enduring.
One of the longest partnerships in the AFLW, the synonymity between the GIANTS and Harvey Norman is largely due to Waters’ efforts, though her impact extends far beyond her working title.
GIANTS board member Nikki Warburton was on hand to announce and congratulate Waters at the recent Ladies Lunch.
“There are people in sport who work in the spotlight, and then there are people who make the spotlight possible, Sam Waters is the latter,” Warburton said.
“Today we shine the spotlight on this incredible lady.
“In 2021, she led the expansion of that partnership into a full club relationship.
“When Covid threatened to unravel local football across Western Sydney and the ACT, Sam and Harvey Norman were there. She developed and funded a program that helped 17 local clubs get back on their feet.”
As a lobbyist for increased funding and support for the AFLW competition, Sam Waters and Harvey Norman have been drivers of growth across the GIANTS and the league, playing a critical role in the initial expediency of the women’s game.
“[Waters] Impact stretches far beyond the orange and charcoal, across codes and communities, she has become one of the most consistent champions for women in Australian sport.”
In 2025, her most recent personal investment into the club saw the launch of a women’s leadership project, focused on the professional development of the GIANTS AFLW players in an industry leading program.
Waters was also pivotal to the extension of the GIANTS’ partnership with Harvey Norman, midway through the 2025 AFLW season.
A mainstay at all GIANTS home games across both the men’s and women’s programs, Waters was humbled upon receiving a call from GIANTS CEO David Matthews, informing her of the accolade.
“I feel incredibly honoured,” Waters says of the recognition.
"I also feel incredibly proud to work for the GIANTS. I came into the fold over eight years ago and growing up a diehard NRL fan I had no idea about AFL.
“When I came into this role, the GIANTS family were the most welcoming, they opened everything to me to make me feel like I belonged here from day one.
“I really care and really want to make a difference and getting to work with the GIANTS team as a whole; everyone is exceptional and I love that I get to learn from you every weekend.”
The announcement, at the 2026 Ladies Lunch, was the pinnacle of a day that celebrates the contribution of women across the GIANTS community, on and off the field.
Warburton, who has been a director on the club’s board for almost five years, heralded the role that Waters has played in both building the club, and shaping its future.
“The next chapter for women's sport will be shaped by people like Sam,” Warburton said.
“People who say what women sport can be and refused to wait for someone else to help build it.”
