Over 200 junior AFL participants from across Greater Sydney descended on GIANTS HQ for a special Youth Footy Rush Gala Day today as the club’s Western Sydney Community Camp began.
Participants represented their local clubs as they vied for the inaugural GIANTS Junior Pre-Season Cup – a new annual competition testing participants’ Footy Rush skills.
The GIANTS playing group and coaching staff were on hand throughout the Gala Day, acting as coaching and support crews for the competing clubs – including Josaia Delana who starred in the GIANTS' match simulation against Collingwood on Friday that saw them win by 35 points.
Delana, who hails from Western Sydney, said: "It's really exciting... it's a great opportunity for the GIANTS, but also AFL and Western Sydney.
"We're hoping to grow the game, so I think it's really good that we can get a lot of junior clubs out from Western Sydney to the GIANTS facilities and have some involvement with the kids."
Hills Phoenix were crowned the maiden winners of the girls competition, while the Glebe Greyhounds were named winners of the boys.
Junior AFL footballer of the Canada Bay Cannons Charlie Forbes said: "I've had a lot of fun.
"Seeing all these big boys who I hope to one day be, but also just being out in the sun playing footy is great."
Local coaches and umpires also had the chance to learn from the expertise within the GIANTS inner sanctum at the Youth Footy Rush Gala Day as GIANTS AFL players and coaching staff took part in special Coaching and Umpiring Workshops as the GIANTS Junior Pre-Season Cup unfolded.
The GIANTS pre-season Community Camp is being held across Greater Sydney as the countdown to AFL’s return to the city in 2026 begins, which kicks off with a cross-town clash between the GIANTS and the Sydney Swans in a huge AAMI Community Series game at Henson Park on Thursday, February 26.
Following the game against the Swans, the GIANTS will then turn their attention to their blockbuster Opening Round clash against Hawthorn at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, March 7.
Footy Rush is a high-energy format of footy designed for fun, fitness and connection, without the heavy contact. It delivers more action with four short quarters, smaller teams and simple restarts, meaning more game time and less downtime.
The GIANTS’ Community Camp in Western Sydney continues on Monday as players visit community junior football clubs from across the region.
The community AFL season in New South Wales is set to begin on Saturday, March 28.
Tickets to the GIANTS Opening Round fixture against Hawthorn are on sale now, visit openinground.afl for more.