GIANT turnout for GWS visit

By Josh Bartlett – Bega District News

Monday night’s GWS Giants clinic highlighted the similarity between the AFL’s newest club and the Bega Bombers.

Kennedy, 20, and Haynes, 21, hosted a skills clinic for juniors, before meeting and greeting fans.

Kennedy and Haynes are both established members of the Giants side, primarily in defence.

When the BDN visited on Monday, the showground was filled with youngsters kicking footballs and receiving tips from the two Giants.

The majority of Sapphire Coast Australian Football League clubs were represented, with flashes of red, black, blue, yellow and maroon running around the ground.

Taking a break from the session, Kennedy said there was a “correlation” between GWS and the emerging Bega Bombers club.

“It can be frustrating with the loss, but you’ve got to continue to improve,” he said.

“When you work to form a club, like we are, it’s worth it.”

Kennedy said the key for the Giants and Bombers was to meet new people and form a new environment.

He said he was proud to “dish off” information to the Valley’s juniors, giving them an insight into the life of a professional AFL player.

“To get Nick Haynes and myself here, it shows how much they [GWS] do care and love it,” Kennedy said.

Bega Bombers playing-coach Matt Fleet said it was “unbelievable” to see so many people attend Monday’s clinic.

“It’s awesome, really good,” he said.

Fleet said the Bombers were inspired by the AFL’s newest club, with Kennedy and Haynes providing great insight.

“We have the same sort of a deal, but on a way smaller level – we have guys learning to play AFL footy,” he said.

“It’s a lesson to keep your heads up and it’s okay to lose, as long as you keep improving and moving forward.” 

Following the training session, juniors were given the opportunity to ask Kennedy and Haynes questions.

Topics raised included their favourite and least favourite AFL teams, family life and how they made it to the Giants.

Regional manager AFL NSW/ACT John Love said he was happy to see so many juniors attend the clinic.

“The kids seem to be enjoying it – this is a great turnout, there all having fun,” he said.

“This year, the Giants are making more of an effort than last year to be a community club.

“The Giants have brought two of their top players… they are showing the area respect.”

Love said it was important for GWS to visit regional areas, such as the Bega Valley.

He said he had been “overwhelmed” by the support of locals and surprised by juniors’ knowledge of the Giants, including knowing the club’s mascot, theme song and star players.

 “The Giants have learnt a lot from [fellow new AFL club] Gold Coast,” Love said.

“GWS has over 13,000 members which is fantastic – they are doing something right, and getting out in the community helps.”