The Grampians Giants’ decade of persistence and belief was rewarded on Friday night when the club was named Team of the Year at the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly Sports Star of the Year Awards.

For nearly 10 seasons, the Grampians Giants All Abilities Football-Netball Club kept turning up. They trained, travelled and played with enthusiasm, even when wins proved elusive. Based in Ararat and Stawell, the club was formed to give athletes of all abilities a structured pathway into competitive football, creating opportunities that did not previously exist in the region.

That long apprenticeship made this year’s breakthrough all the sweeter.

After almost a decade without a victory, the Giants not only broke through in 2025, they surged. Confidence grew with each performance as new players joined the group and belief took hold.

Coach Gary Ryan told a packed house at Horsham Town Hall that the award was “a bit of a surprise”, recalling earlier seasons when “things always look pretty grim” before momentum finally shifted.

“Think we won seven out of 10, made the granny,” he said.

The Giants ultimately fell short on grand final day, but the transformation was unmistakable. Results followed resilience. Players who had endured lean years experienced the thrill of success, while families and volunteers saw their patience and dedication rewarded.

Ryan and fellow Giants contributor Heather Fleming acknowledged the volunteers, partner organisations and community supporters who have sustained the club since its inception, describing the season as a shared achievement.

One of the defining moments of the year came during the club’s Spirit of Sport round, backed by the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Ararat branch, which drew a strong crowd and underscored how firmly the Giants are now woven into the region’s sporting fabric.

The Team of the Year honour recognises more than a winning run. It celebrates inclusion, commitment and opportunity, and affirms that perseverance matters and belonging can be as powerful as silverware.