The Softball New Zealand chief executive is at Ellis Park for the under-17 girls national championships this week.
He is one of several prominent personalities present, alongside national under-17 and under-19 women’s coaches Karen Rigby and Carl Tuinenga.
With 11 teams present and the country’s best young talent on show, all three are enjoying the tournament.
Not only is it the first time the association has hosted the tournament, but it has come off the back of a tough six months.
As well as having overcome significant financial difficulties, it is in the process of rebuilding the women’s game.That rebuild is going well and Giles feels the past year has been key in that.
"What we’re seeing down here, the last 12 months, there’s been a groundswell of support from the local community to get in behind the sport again, which may have dwindled a little bit in recent times," Giles said.
"We’ve got a women’s game here that’s now starting to thrive — that hasn’t been the case in the last couple of years.
"We’ve got women’s teams going to events in Canterbury at the provincial level, we’ve got a competitive environment down here now.
"Having national events like this can only help that, right?"
He also spoke of Aran Bailey a key figure in Otago softball, who died suddenly late last year.
Bailey had been a board member of Softball New Zealand and was "a large part of the organisation".
Being in town was significant for Giles from that perspective as well.
He had been impressed by the tournament so far, complimenting the volunteer base and stakeholders.
"There is a feel about this event. That Otago the association and the players want to be part of something special again and the noise is all heading the right direction.
"We’re excited to support it and that’s why we’re here this weekend."
For Rigby and Tuinenga the tournament is a chance to scout the talent as they look to pick their teams to take to the Canada Cup in July.
The prestigious tournament allows the country’s top players a chance to play internationally before next year’s world series.
Tuinenga said the talent among the top teams was impressive, while there were others in the lesser sides also looking to put their hands up.
Growing the game beyond its current strongholds major centres centres was something that would help boost the calibre of those teams.
Otago claimed its first win yesterday, beating Marlborough 6-1.
In its two late games it came up against two of the tournament favourites in Wellington and Auckland, going down 10-3 and 10-0 respectively.
