The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS congratulate new recruit Callan Ward on his selection in the Australian side for the upcoming International Rules Series, to be held in Australia later this month.
Ward now becomes the first GIANTS player ever to represent Australia in the series.
GIANTS head coach Kevin Sheedy, who coached the Australian team in 2005 and 2006, congratulated Ward on his selection and encouraged him to enjoy the experience.
"The International Rules series is a terrific opportunity for young players. I hope Callan makes the most what the experience has to offer and learns from his teammates and even some of the Irish players.
"It is a really exciting game. It's great for these guys because you're pitting yourself against players from the other side world without having any idea of their talent and skill set and that offers a good opportunity for them to test their own skills.
"The boys get to work with players from other clubs and to play under coaches that they may have never played for. This gives them a chance to form a broader skill set.
"It will be good for Callan to get a bit of game time under his belt before we start pre season training in November, but more importantly I’m extremely proud to see a GIANT in the Australian line up for the first time.”
The Australian squad will travel to Torquay together for a training camp ahead of the first Test, to be held at Etihad Stadium on October 28.
The second Test will be held on the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday November 4.
Ward will then return to Western Sydney in preparation for preseason training, which will commence on November7.
Click here to view Callan's player profile
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a competition between the Australia and Ireland, played using a set of compromise rules. The matches use some rules from Australian rules football and the field, ball and uniforms of both teams are all from Gaelic football.
The series is played each October after the completion of the AFL Grand Final and the All-Ireland Football Final and alternate host countries each year between Ireland and Australia.
