The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have announced their club champion award will be named the Kevin Sheedy Medal.
GIANTS Chairman Tony Shepherd said it was only fitting that the club named its highest honour after its inaugural coach and one of the greats of the game.
WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
"Kevin Sheedy has enjoyed a remarkable career in the game spanning six decades. It includes three premierships as a player with Richmond and four as coach of Essendon," he said.
"He also been a wonderful ambassador for the game and played an integral part in building the AFL's newest club here in Greater Western Sydney and Canberra. This is a unique honour and something all GIANTS players for generations to come will strive to win."
Last weekend Sheedy marked his 900th premiership match as a player and coach and in Round 19 against Port Adelaide he will become the first person in the history of the VFL-AFL to reach a combined total of 1000 games. This includes premiership, pre-season, state of origin and International Rules matches as a player and coach.
The GIANTS will soon announce a range of initiatives to celebrate the match at Skoda Stadium on August 4 including a special ticket offer for fans and commemorative item for all those who attend the match. Fans will also be able to pay their respects to Sheedy as part of a tribute before the game.
"The match at Skoda Stadium will be a celebration of Kevin's contribution to the game and I urge all foootball supporters and lovers of sport to come along and help us honour one of the all-time greats," Shepherd said.
"Kevin has a passion for growing game through events like Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the `G and he has been a magnificent innovator and his legacy here at the GIANTS will live on forever."
KEVIN SHEEDY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Played 251 games for Richmond between 1967 and 1979, including three premierships in 1969, 1973-74.
In 1981 he was appointed Senior Coach at the Essendon Football Club, where he coached for a record 635 games during 27 years of continuous coaching. In that time the club completed in 19 finals series, seven Grand Finals and won four premierships - 1984-85, 1993 and 2000
All Australian coach in 1984-85, 1993 and 2000 and State of Origin coach in 1984 and 1985. He was also the successful Coach of the International Rules Team in 2005 and 2006, winning three of the four Tests played during his tenure.
He was inducted into the Australian Football League's Hall of Fame, made a Legend of the Essendon Football Club and nominated as The Australian Thinker of the Year. In 1998 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to sport and the community.
Appointed inaugural coach of Greater Western Sydney in 2009 and coached club to its first win against Gold Coast Suns in Canberra on May 12 2012.
In Round 19 against Port Adelaide at Skoda Stadium he will become the first person in history of VFL/AFL to have played/coached a combined total of 1000 matches, including premiership, pre-season, state of origin and International Rules matches.
