From Castle Hill to GWS — Rebekah Giles’ giant steps

She was a Hills girl who grew up to become one of the nation’s top lawyers — and has now landed a spot on the board of the thriving GWS Giants AFL team.

Rebekah Giles grew up in the Hills District - she was appointed to the board of the GWS Giants AFL team this year. Picture: Carly Earl

SHE was a Hills girl who grew up to become one of the nation’s top lawyers — and has now landed a spot on the board of the thriving GWS Giants AFL team.

Rebekah Giles, who attended Toongabbie Baptist School from primary school to year 12, was appointed to the Giants board this year, part of the team overseeing the dynamic club’s burgeoning fortunes.

“I grew up in pre-M2 Hills District” Ms Giles told the Hills Shire Times in an exclusive interview. “My first job was at Sportsgirl Castle Towers. The Hills was a very different place back then. Castle Towers was a tiny mall and Castle Hill Record Bar was the coolest place in my world.”

Rebekah Giles recalls her first job at Sportsgirl, Castle Towers.

On her acceptance into Law School she moved out of the area to be closer to the city and later spent time working in the legal profession in London before returning to Australia.

After a stint at well-known Sydney law firms Ms Giles joined boutique international practice Kennedys.

She made partner by the time she was 30 despite sustaining life-threatening injuries in the 2005 tsunami while on holiday in Thailand, which involved a lengthy recuperation.

Adopted at birth by a Castle Hill family, Ms Giles, who is half-Malaysian, grew up in a religious family and was raised in the Hillsong Church.

“Through my time in the church I witnessed first-hand how important strong social bonds are, how necessary community is to nurture and develop young people.

“And now that’s what I love about sport — its power to build better communities.”

In July, the Giants announced she was joining the highly experienced board comprising business and community leaders including Joseph Carrozzi, Managing Partner at PWC, Andrew Stevens former IBM boss and educator Chris Cawsey AM.

In her role, Ms Giles is involved in dealing with integrity matters such as the recent drug scandal involving star midfielder Lachie Whitfield.

“The Board is committed to ensuring that everyone in the Club, without exception, demonstrates the highest standard of honesty, integrity and respect: this is key to supporting a high performance environment,” she said.

Rebekah Giles sporting the colours of the GWS Giants team.

Giles admits she was born and bred in rugby league heartland but says that she has fallen in love with AFL. Her six-year-old son is a “die-hard GWS fan”.

“There is no substitute for watching the game live. To me, it’s a more athletic, dynamic and strategic game. Perhaps this explains why the AFL is drawing much larger crowds than the NRL. Only last week the GWS and Sydney final drew crowds of more than 60,000.”

“To win our first final was a brilliant moment for the Club and more importantly our supporters who have been with us through the tough times.

“From humble but important beginnings, the Giants’ growth has been significant in just five years.”

She acknowledged her own modest beginnings and the “strong role models in my life” who have contributed to her success.

“I strongly believe in giving back to the Greater Western Sydney community that has given me so many opportunities.”

She is also hugely enthusiastic about the launch of the Giants team in the National Women’s League next year.

“The Club is incredibly excited about the pathways that will be created for women looking to play football at an elite level,” she said.

Tony Shepherd AO, Giants Chairman, said Ms Giles’ appointment followed a “rigorous selection process” and was based on her “strong legal background” and the Club’s commitment to “diversity of thought and innovation”.

“As someone who was raised in Western Sydney, we feel Rebekah will serve the club and the game more broadly, extremely well.”