Leon Cameron will step down as GWS Giants coach after Sunday’s game against Carlton.
The Giants today announced that the club and the senior coach had mutually agreed to part ways, with senior assistant coach Mark McVeigh taking over as interim senior coach for the remainder of the season.
After joining the club as senior assistant coach to inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy at the end of the club’s first season in 2012, Cameron took over as senior coach ahead of the 2014 season. During that period, he has coached the Giants in 192 matches, leading the side to five finals series in six years, including two preliminary finals and leading the club to a maiden Grand Final appearance in 2019.
“On behalf of everyone at the Giants I want to thank Leon for the incredible impact he has had on our organisation over the past 10 years,” said GWS Chairman, Tony Shepherd.
“Leon has always put the club and the game first, and has worked tirelessly to grow Australian Rules football in NSW and the ACT.
“Beyond this, he has ultimately been an outstanding coach for the GIANTS. He has achieved considerable success during his time with our club – his record speaks for itself and the relationships he has built will endure. He should be congratulated for his work to take a brand-new club in NRL heartland to its first Grand Final – and regular finals success – within just a few years.
“Change is one of the few constants in sport and we are now obviously on the precipice of change at the Giants, but Leon and his family will remain an indelible figure in our club’s history and for that we are extremely grateful.”
Giants Chief Executive Officer, David Matthews, paid tribute to the club’s second ever senior coach, noting Cameron’s role in establishing the club across its formative years.
“We thank Leon for everything he has done – and achieved – as senior coach of the Giants over the past nine years,” Mr Matthews said.
“To be a senior AFL coach is one thing, but to play an instrumental role in building a club is another thing entirely and Leon has certainly achieved the latter. He is a selfless and people-driven person with outstanding values and will always be a much-loved member of the Giants family.
“Leon is a person of the highest quality and integrity and we’ve valued the ability to have honest conversations about the best way forward for the club. It was quickly apparent during a discussion earlier this week that we were in clear agreement that now is the time to take a different direction relative to the senior coach position.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating Leon’s contribution to the Giants in a range of ways and we wish Leon, his wife Carolyn and children Millie, Harry and Jack, the very best with the next chapter.”
Cameron said he was grateful for his time with the Giants and content with the decision to conclude his tenure as the club’s senior coach.
“After a lot of consideration over the past few weeks, it became clear in recent days that the time was right for me to move on,” he said.
“I’ve always had the best interests of the club at heart, which is why now is the right time for change.
“No one person is bigger than the club itself and I know this is the right decision for the club’s future. I’ve given everything to the role and am proud of the part I’ve played in building the Giants over the past decade. This is a special club with a lot of great people, who have supported me every step of the way.”
Sunday’s match against Carlton at Giants Stadium will be Cameron’s 193rd and final match as coach of the Giants.
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