GRAMPIANS Giants are coming together at Central Park on Friday to thank their sponsors and those that have made their 2016 debut possible.
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The Giants will compete in the Football Integration Development Association western conference season, and their first match is on Monday against Wimmera Whippets at Horsham City Oval.
Monday’s Giants-Whippets clash is a curtain-raiser to the Horsham District Football League Anzac Day match between Natimuk United and Harrow-Balmoral.
Friday night will see representatives from Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Stawell Gold Mines and Ararat-based business AME Systems in attendance from 5:30 pm.
The Giants have been training once a fortnight in the lead up to Monday’s match.
Sports Central Project Coordinator, Lachlan Smith, is pleased with the progress the players are making.
“We’re looking forward to playing the Wimmera Whippets on Monday,” Mr Smith said.
“We’ve got new jumpers, which have mountains on them to represent the Grampians and we’re really excited about what this year will bring.”
Mr Smith is most look forward to watching the players run out onto the ground.
“They’ll get to do what their friends and family do with the other clubs around the region. It’s great to be able to give them this opportunity,” Mr Smith said.
“If they get a win, that’ll be a bonus.”
The Giants made their debut in an all-abilities round-robin competition in August 2015, and its been all systems go ever since.
Coached by Ararat-based Wilf Dickeson with assistance from Mick Davis, Mr Smith estimates there are 22-23 Giants competing this season.
“The numbers are really positive for our first season,” he said.
“It’s often difficult to get people to come along and sign up for something that doesn’t exist.”
Now it does, and with support from Skene Street Specialist School in Stawell as well as Pinnacle Inc services, it is hoped these number will grow in years to come.
There are also plans to launch a mixed netball side in August and make it a true football-netball club experience for the Grampians Giants players.
Anyone interested in volunteering for training nights or for more information, contact Lachlan Smith on 5331 6966 or email lachlan@sportscentral.org.au.
