Welcome to the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Cheer Squad!
The GIANTS Cheer Squad (GWSGCS) is the official Supporter Group for our most passionate members. Members of the Cheer Squad are considered representatives of the GIANTS and part of the inner sanctum, having access to areas of the club that the general public do not. Being in the cheer squad also brings with it the opportunity to forge friendships with likeminded GIANTS fans. As such, it is important for members to acknowledge their roles and responsibilities as part of the club. We expect our members to abide by this code of conduct to preserve the safe, welcoming, family environment of the GWSGCS.
Members of the GIANTS Cheer Squad should behave in an appropriate manner while attending match days, club events and cheer squad events.
Members should avoid the below:
· Anti-Racial behaviour
· Rude gestures to players, supporters, officials of the GWS GIANTS Football club and opposition clubs
· Inciting opposition supporters
· Foul language
· Harassing our own or opposition players and umpires
· Invading any players’ right to privacy.
· Publicly criticising the club in any way.
Members should be:
· Encouraging camaraderie and friendship between members
· Using constructive methods of conflict resolution
· Respecting members as individuals, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, occupation or age
· Mindful of posts on their personal or group social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram etc.
The GWS GIANTS Football Club and the GWSGCS Cheer Squad President reserve the right to discipline any member found in breach of the Code of Conduct in any of the following ways:
1. An official verbal warning issued by a representative of the club or Cheer Squad President
2. An official written warning.
3. Suspension or expulsion from the Cheer Squad.
The GWS GIANTS reserve the right to permanently expel any member from the Cheer Squad at any time, if they are found to have been in violation of the code of conduct.
GWSGCS membership is exclusive – members are not permitted to hold membership of another AFL cheer squad. Members must obey the GIANTS Cheer Squad rules and constitution.
Additional AFL Cheer Squad Rules
As a Member of the GWSGCS, it is expected that you also abide by the following rules as outlined in the AFL Club's Code of Conduct:
• Alcohol is strictly forbidden from being consumed within the designated Cheer Squad area by
Cheer Squad Members. Members will not be allowed into the Cheer Squad area if under the influence of alcohol.
• Floggers and flags shall only be over the fence when in use while any officially sanctioned
AFL game is in progress.
• Flagpoles are to be no more than 1.4 metres in length.
• Cut up paper or streamers are not to be thrown on to the arena or taken into grounds.
• There is to be no standing on seats. Individuals can incur heavy fines for this.
• There is to be no abusive, insulting or threatening language used by Cheer Squad Members
at the game (this is also covered in our own Code of Conduct outlined above)
• The ball must not be thrown at the Goal Umpires head after a goal is scored. Anyone caught
doing this will be evicted from the ground, charged with assault by the Police and have their
membership cancelled by the AFL.
• Names of Cheer Squad members (without their consent) and inflammatory remarks are not to
be published over the internet (including Facebook, twitter, etc.). Anyone found to be doing
this will be suspended.
On Ground AFL Rules
• Alcohol is strictly forbidden from being brought onto the ground.
• Cheer Squad members are to remain off the ground until after the second siren has sounded
• No sticks are to be brought onto the ground.
• Cheer Squad members are to wear club apparel during any time they are on ground.
• No mobile phones permitted.
* No sharp or metal objects permitted.
• No cameras except for one designated person.
• Members must stay in their allocated position on ground.
• Cheer Squad members must wear appropriate foot wear (flat, closed-toe shoes) during the
time they are on ground Penalties apply to Members who disregard AFL Cheer Squad rules.
Penalties are as follows:
• Oversize flag - $500 for first offence and $1,000 for repeat offences.
• Invading arena before second siren - $1,000 for each offence.
• Throwing paper streamers onto arena - $500.
• Alcohol brought into the ground or consumed in Cheer Squad area - $500
• A warning and/or cancellation of Cheer Squad membership.
Members will be responsible for paying any fine they may incur.
For any questions regarding these rules, please contact GWSGCS president Kath Dell'Orefice on 0424197338 or .
Raising the Run-through Banner
As part of the Cheer Squad, you are eligible to hold up the banner for the team to run through on game day. You may be able to walk onto the ground with the squad, assist with raising the banner and cheer on the players as they burst through the banner and run onto the field. While on the field, you should obey all instructions and AFL rules. Children must be over the age of 13 and all members must be wearing long black pants and enclosed shoes while on the field. There is to be no use of mobile phones while on field.
Home and Away Season Ticketing
For any ticketing questions, please contact the club directly. To attend away GIANTS matches, please contact the GIANTS Ticketing department. To sit in the GIANTS Cheer Squad bay during away matches you will need to purchase tickets through the GIANTS club directly. For more information and to purchase tickets for away matches, visit www.gwsgiants.com.au
Run-through Banner Making Sessions
Banner making usually takes place in the GIANTS change room at Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, on a Wednesday night for away games or Thursday nights for a home game from 4:30pm until about 8pm. Cheer Squad membership is active membership, so as part of the Cheer Squad, members should aim to be as actively involved in all aspects of Cheer Squad events and activities, including banner making nights, where possible. Having a banner for the players to run through is extremely important so attending banner making nights is very important. During the season, GIANTS players and coaches regularly attend banner making to assist cheer squad members in making the banner. This is your chance to personally interact with them, getting autographs, photos and asking any questions you may have. If you are going to attend banner making for the first time, please email the GWSGCS on or call the GWSGCS Banner Manager Seb Dell’Orefice on 0417197337. Children are welcome to attend, however they need to be kept under supervision at all times.
Club Contacts
Administration
Phone: (02) 8736 4200
Email:
Website: www.gwsgiants.com.au
Membership Services
General Enquiries: 1300 GIANTS (1300 442 687)
Wade Thomas: (02) 8736 4232
Nicole Smyth: (02) 8736 4225
Andrew Gilchrist: (02) 8736 4208
Email:
Website: www.membership.gwsgiants.com.au
Merchandise
Phone: (02) 8736 4213
Email:
Website: www.shop.gwsgiants.com.au