AFL NSW/ ACT believe a successful visit from the Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS) next week could potentially lead to the AFL side playing matches at Dubbo.
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GWS star Dylan Addison and development coach Sam Reid will be in Dubbo next Monday and Tuesday as part the Giants Community Camp AFL Super clinic.
The pair will visit five schools and take in a trip to the zoo and Old Dubbo Gaol during the two days before the free clinic at South Dubbo Oval from 3-5pm on Tuesday afternoon.
The Dubbo Demons AFL side are hosting the visit and Addison and Reid will also attend a Demons training session a function at the South Dubbo Tavern on Monday night.
The link with the Demons is a key part of the trip and despite the Dubbo side struggling at times for numbers AFL NSW/ ACT's Matt Johnson wants this visit to help boost the sport in this region and be the start of bigger and better things.
Johnson said he and the GWS Giants were aware sides in the central west sometimes have a battle to stay alive but he was committed to helping that improve.
"The Giants recognise that and want to put the effort in," he said.
"Not only by coming out but there will be a huge social media presence as well so everyone from Sydney can see the AFL culture out this way.
"AFL NSW has recognised it too and want what happens in Sydney to happen in regional areas and we want to build a culture out west and if it goes well then possibly a NAB Cup match could be played to get some more traction here.
"If there's plenty of numbers and the game is healthy here then we can look at that."
Twenty-seven-year-old Addison has played 93 AFL matches in his career and became a key part of the Giants side last season after transferring from the Western Bulldogs.
The forward has kicked 30 goals in his career and is expected to pass plenty of advice during his time at Dubbo, both for juniors and the Demons' squads.
Reid is also a former Bulldogs player who joined the Giants at the end of 2013.
But a horror run of injuries forced his retirement and he has now become one of the club's development coaches.
Other GWS players and coaches will be in Orange and Bathurst next week but Dubbo is the only centre where the Giants will be staying for two days.
It is rare for Dubbo to get access to top-line AFL players but Johnson was adamant the Giants and AFL NSW were committed to helping players and clubs in this region continue to prosper.
"The Giants are the closest AFL team for this region and they want to try and strengthen partnerships with regional areas," Johnson said.
"This will be done by visiting schools and being in the community and it's not all about the Giants, we want to form a link with the Demons, who will have a bit to do with this tour.
"If anyone is interested in the game they can come down and test themselves and they can see the Demons and sign up as well."
On Monday morning Addison and Reid will visit Old Dubbo Gaol before stopping in at Dubbo North Public and Dubbo Clontarf Group in the afternoon.
After spending Monday night with the Demons, Tuesday will include a trip to the zoo as well as Orana Height Primary, St Mary's Primary and Dubbo South Public.
On Tuesday afternoon the Giants Community Camp AFL Super Clinic will be run at South Dubbo Oval from 3-5pm.
