‘GWSC GIANTS’ win ‘AFL Play Fair’ Trophy at ‘Unity Cup’

Our ‘GWSC GIANTS’ AFL 9s teams recently stood TALL at the 2026 ‘AFL Unity Cup’ carnival, which was contested at Monash University Playing Fields.

They then took out the 2026 AFL Unity Cup 'Play Fair' Trophy in recognition of how they were continually championing diversity, inclusion and an equitable playing field for all right throughout the carnival!

In celebration of our nation’s rich cultural diversity, the ‘AFL Unity Cup’ program brings together a host of different multicultural and linguistically diverse communities by engaging them in Australian Rules Football and personal development education sessions. This free program also provides an opportunity for young multicultural Victorians to engage positively with their peers and the community through their mutual love of footy.

Our students were invited by the AFL to come together and form two ‘GWSC GIANTS’ teams to play a modified version of our indigenous game, called AFL 9’s, against fellow youth sides from different CALD communities all over Victoria. More than 150 participants competed fiercely but fairly in two different divisions on the day of the ‘AFL Unity Cup’ carnival this year at Monash University Playing Fields in Clayton.

It was terrific to see that our AFL 9’s teams were once again the most multicultural and linguistically diverse out of all sides, with players and coaches from 11 different cultural backgrounds coming together to STAND TALL as ‘GWSC GIANTS’. We also had the largest percentage of female participation out of all teams competing (~65% overall), whilst also having the highest number of female players taking to the field...with 15 girls playing in our two ‘mixed’ AFL 9’s teams. Additionally, we had the highest number of female coaches at the ‘AFL Unity Cup’ carnival once again this year. When combined, all of these key statistics demonstrate that footy really is for everyone!

Our ‘GWSC GIANTS’ AFL 9’s teams had an absolute blast on the day of the carnival, as they engaged with a multitude of cultural education programs, participated in activations and performances alongside a range of CALD community organisations, whilst also having a crack at the longest kick competition! They also enjoyed a delicious pizza lunch, along with choc-coated soft serve ice creams for dessert, then washed it all down with ice cold Gatorade and water. All of our players were also given personalised ‘high performance’ footy guernseys from the AFL which they got to keep! 

Around the Grounds.... All of our AFL 9’s games were played in the correct spirit, with some highly entertaining and skilful teamwork on display from our ‘GWSC GIANTS’. At the end of the 'AFL Unity Cup' Carnival, many umpires and representatives from AFL Victoria commented on the exemplary way in which both of our teams competed on the day whilst respecting their team mates, fellow competitors, umpires, coaches, supporters and our great game of AFL!

All of our students and staff coaches represented themselves and our college community so very well; demonstrating respect, understanding and fairness to all in attendance, both on and off the field. It was also fantastic to see so many of our GWSC students, staff and families out and about barracking for our teams; your constant encouragement from beyond the boundary line was amazing, inspiring and greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Mr Daniel McGuire (GWSC Assistant Principal) for coming along to the carnival to cheer on our AFL Unity Cup teams!

Kudos also to our Longest Kick Champions – Elsie and Henry – who booted the skin off the Sherrin and sent it soaring out past the 50-meter mark. For their troubles, both Henry and Elsie took home a brand new Sherrin KB football each!  

Every single ‘GWSC GIANTS’ player should be very proud of their excellent endeavours during the ‘AFL Unity Cup’ Carnival, a fantastic effort by all involved. Thank-you also to our staff coaches, Miss Krystal Shaw and Mr Mark Robinson, in addition to Miss Daisy Robinson who volunteered as an alumnus coach. We really appreciate all of the time and effort that our three coaches put into this program, providing our players with many tips, inspiration, direction, first aid and support.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the AFL for inviting our college to once again participate in this amazing multicultural AFL program. Our students and staff have been very fortunate to be involved in a range of incredible experiences over the past ten years through our engagement with this special program.

We can't wait to kick off our 2027 ‘AFL Unity Cup’ program at GWSC and hope to introduce even more of our multicultural students and their families to footy! Next year’s ‘AFL Unity Cup’ is certain to be an even bigger and better celebration of many cultures playing one game, our game, of Australian Rules football!   

#Footy’sForAll!!!!   #ManyCulturesOneGame!!!!