The AFL today announced that the Gold Coast SUNS will head to the Northern Rivers region and Rockhampton as part of the 2012 Australia Post AFL Community Camps.
The Australia Post AFL Community Camps will see more than 800 AFL players take the game to regional and rural communities across Australia to give football fans of all ages the chance to meet their heroes.
GC SUNS players will conduct training sessions and visit schools and hospitals, to bring together individuals and communities, irrespective of backgrounds and beliefs as well as promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
The GC SUNS will complete both camps on the 5th and 6th of February.
The majority of the team will head south of the border, visiting Ballina, Lismore and Casino, while a small group including North Queensland’s very own, Zac Smith, Charlie Dixon and Jarrod Harbrow will visit Rockhampton.
Gold Coast SUNS Community Manager, Corey Bell, said the club was looking forward to playing a role in encouraging the next generation to participate in AFL.
“The camp gives the players a chance to spend quality time with our younger participants in regions that aren’t on our back door, but have a strong supporter base.”
“Both the Northern Rivers region and Rockhampton are areas that AFL continues to grow, and locations fall into our Gold Coast SUNS Academy zone, where player such as Zac Smith and Charlie Dixon hail from”
Details on the activities at both the Northern Rivers and Rockhampton Community Camps will be published soon.
3000 of the Gold Coast's neediest residents received some much needed festive cheer as the Gold Coast SUNS, the Gold Coast Bulletin, Movie World and the Gold Coast Community fund hosted their second annual White Christmas parade.
GC SUNS skipper Gary Ablett led the way as the club's young players entertained an excited and enthusiastic crowd of Christmas revellers.
With falling snow, and against a backdrop of one million fairy lights, the highlight of the evening was the spectacular Christmas parade which featured Frosty the Snow Man and his gorgeous dancers, Eboneezer Scrooge, the Gold Coast SUNS players and of course Santa Clause who spent time taking Christmas wishes before sledding off to the North Pole to complete his toy making duties.
Last year the White Christmas Charity appeal raised over $30,000 whith the funds distributed across a number of the Gold Coast SUNS supported charities.
But while the event focusses on raising much needed community funds, it's key agenda is to create a few hours of worry free enjoyment during what is traditionally one of the most demanding periods of the year for many Gold Coast families.
Gold Coast Community Fund chairman Simon Bennett said the number of donations received so far was pleasing.
If you would like to help struggling Gold Coasters have a brighter Christmas, make a donation to the White Christmas Stocking Fund. 100% of proceeds go directly to those in need within the Gold Coast Community.
The Gold Coast Community Fund is an incorporated body that was established in early 2000 by some of the city's leading business figures. The Fund seeks to raise money through regular art unions, creating a central pool of money for distribution to charities, community organisations and individuals in emergency need. The Gold Coast Community Fund offers a more systematic approach to fundraising and the perfect fundraising solution for not-for-profit organisations large and small.
It’s been a week just like any other week for Corey Bell.
The ultra friendly Gold Coast SUNS Community Manager frantically working behind the scenes to ensure, the Clubs commitment to the Greater Gold Coast Community is carried out without hiccup or fuss, and that the work done, provides genuine benefit to the Gold Coast and those who call our City home.
Truth be told, the Gold Coast SUNS commitment to achieve over 5000 hours of community work requires massive coordination and around the clock dedication from Belly as he’s affectionately known and the Gold Coast SUNS as a club.
Last Saturday and despite the entire playing list being away at altitude training in Arizona, Corey, mascot Sunny Ray and some of the Clubs administration team attended the 24 hour Bowling for Bronsan fund raiser at AMF Bowling centre Robina with Sunny Ray delighting young Bronsan with his goofy bowling prowess.
Bronsan tragically lost his mother and sister this year and it was fantastic to see all four of the Cities National sporting codes getting behind the fund raising initiative.
The following day Corey led a large club contingent at the annual White Ribbon Golf day on the Gold Coast.
Corey and injured player Josh Toy joined MP Karen Andrews and representatives from the Queensland Police force to reinforce the Gold Coast SUNS commitment to domestic violence awareness.
Domestic violence is one of the three charity pillars the GC SUNS supports, along with youth homelessness and various programs and initiatives in the Northern Gold Coast region.
Domestic violence awareness isn’t a popular charity in comparison to various other nationally supported, however the Gold Coast SUNS are committed to working towards assisting the White Ribbon day achieve the recognition and awareness it deserves with a number of the clubs players nominating to champion the White Ribbon cause.
The Club also showed it’s support for White Ribbon through its digital support through the Clubs website, Facebook and Twitter, with a specially created Twibbon featuring the causes logo ensuring it was front and centre for the clubs online supporters and members to see.
Back at the office and away from the media spotlight, the GC SUNS staff shed the clubs traditional red and held a black and white dress day and charity morning tea, with White Ribbons and supporting wrist bands on sale.
It was a simple and reflective way for the administration to show their support for the White Ribbon Cause.
Gold Coast SUNS chairman and White Ribbon Ambassador John Witheriff attended the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention awards on the Gold Coast as guest speaker where he further reinforced the Clubs commitment to Domestic Violence awareness.
Gold Coast SUNS board member and Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah was announced winner of annual CEO Challenges Race which encourages participants to raise both funds and awareness for Domestic Violence over a six month period.
On Monday night, representatives of the Gold Coast SUNS Executive attended the 17th annual Queensland Sport Awards Presentation in the Great Hall at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Queensland sports black tie “night of the year” centred on the announcement and presentation of 11 sport award categories and this year, 11 Queensland Sport Hall of Fame members were installed as legends. It was a night where the Gold Coast SUNS paid respect to the States finest sports stars and administrators.
The annual White Christmas charity event is the only charitable event on the Gold Coast where organisers plan a frosty reception for their guests some of the Gold Coasts neediest citizens will benefit as the Gold Coast Bulletin, the Gold Coast SUNS, the Gold Coast Community Fund and Movie World combine to host the White Christmas spectacular.
As the Coast sizzles over summer, Gold Coasters attending the White Christmas spectacular at Movie World can escape the heat and enjoy the spoils of a white Christmas, knowing that they are contributing to ten local charities.
The Gold Coast SUNS will kick festivities off with a street parade on the 9th of December with 3000 disadvantaged Gold Coasters provided with a night out and a Christmas they will never forget.
Gold Coaster can also play their part and make a difference at Christmas time by donating to the White Christmas Charity Fund which runs until Christmas Day in 2011, over $30,000 was raised and distributed to Gold Coast charities.
And then to cap off a whirlwind week of Community work for the Club, General Manager of Marketing and Community Kelly Ryan along with Corey accepted the Corporate Social Responsibility award at the Gold Coast Business awards on Saturday night.
Along with their plaque for winning the Mayors CSR award, the Gold Coast SUNS received a cheque for $5000 which the Club immediately donated to kick start the White Christmas appeal.
The Gold Coast SUNS spent well over 5000 hours working across the Gold Coast community in 2011, delivering measurable content and providing valuable support to a host of worthy charities, programs and initiatives.
The good news is, were committed to more of the same in 2012. Community, it’s not what we do, it’s who we are.
Gold Coast SUNS players and staff spent the Saturday at three different community events on the coast.
Jared Brennan, Jarrod Harbrow and Mav Weller joined Gold Coast staff members and over 1,000 participants in the 2011, Day for Daniel in Robina on Saturday.
The Morcombe Family were in attendance during the walk from Robina Common to the Robina State School.
Jarrod Harbrow was also joined by Rory Thompson , Jackson Allen and GC SUNS Community Manager Cory Bell at Studio Village Community Centre Open Day.
The Studio Village Community Centre is one of the GC SUNS nominated ten charities and the Open Day is their biggest day on the calendar. Hundreds of people attended and participated in the activities put together by the GC SUNS promo team.
The day was capped off with the Relay for Life that ran from 3pm on Saturday afternoon until 9am Sunday morning.
Gold Coast SUNS staff joined Seb Tape and Taylor Hine in helping kick off the event during the first lap.
Relay for Life raises funds and awareness for the Cancer Council and the GC SUNS teamed up with CR Donna Gates to form Team Gates.
Overall 31 teams and 450 participants walked laps around the around the Coomera Anglican College Sports oval, where participant s set up tents and camped overnight.
The Gold Coast SUNS last week had the pleasure of hosting 8 indigenous students at the club, as part of the No Boundaries partnership program.
The program is a partnership initiative between the Gold Coast SUNS, AFL Cape York, NPA Council and the NPA College that started in 2011.
The program, which is funded in 2011 by FaCSIA – has a focus on the No School, No Play message encouraging students to go to school and learn through the mentoring of the staff from AFL Cape York and the Gold Coast SUNS players, up in the remote regions of the Northern Peninsula Area.
In March this year Gold Coast SUNS players Rex Liddy and Jarrod Harbrow visited the region for visit number one, before being followed by Alik Magin and Roland Ah Chee in July for visit number two.
The third and final part of the program has seen a visit by eights students to the Gold Coast for a week. They have been selected by the partnership group, due to their hard work and commitment to the key components of the program.
The week of activity for the students included going to Dreamworld on the Tuesday, a visit to Metricon Stadium to watch training and meet the players on Wednesday and on Thursday to visit All Saints Anglican College, the beach and Griffith University.
The highlight of the week was with out doubt the students having the opportunity to attend Saturdays game between the Gold Coast SUNS and the Adelaide Crows in front of a crowd of over 16,000 people.
For many of the students it was the first time they had seen Metricon Stadium and the first time they had seen a game of AFL live.
The first ever Gold Coast SUNS cup has been run for 2011, with Brisbane private school Nudgee College taking out the final against the Sunshine Coast school Stella Maris at Metricon Stadium.
The Gold Coast SUNS cup is a state-wide competition for Grade 6 and 7 boys that in its inaugural year, saw teams from all over Queensland contest for a place in the final four at Metricon Stadium.
The Semi finals and Grand Final were played on the main oval of Metricon Stadium between Nudgee College, Stella Maris, Narangba Valley and St Francis College (Cairns) in front of excited teachers and parents, some who had travelled thousands of kilometres to take part.
And the majority of the Gold Coast SUNS playing group were on hand to watch some exciting football, sign autographs and hand out medallions to the winning players.
And the highlight for the St Francis College team was to hear from Gold Coast SUNS player and Cairns product Charlie Dixon, who spoke to the group after the game about his journey from Cairns all the way to the AFL and his time so far with the Gold Coast SUNS.
Final scores in the final saw Nudgee College win 6.5.41 to Stella Maris 4.5.29, with a tie in the play off for third between Narangba Valley and St Francis College (Cairns).
With the first year of competition now complete, next year should see even more teams vying for a place in the finals at Metricon Stadium in 2012.
The Gold Coast SUNS players and staff today joined hundreds of community volunteers, as part of the Gold Coast regions biggest Homeless support day, Homeless Connect.
Held at the Albert Waterways Community Centre, Homeless Connect is an event that provides many of the hundreds of Homeless across the Gold Coast, a chance to meet service providers, receive a free haircut, collect hampers of goods and enjoy a nutritious meal.
Players Roland Ah Chee and the clubs Youth Homeless Ambassador Nathan Ablett, were joined by many Gold Coast SUNS staff, who assisted the many volunteers on the day in serving food, giving out hampers and speaking to those who attended on the day.
And the event was well attended, with well over 1000 meals served through the day and hundreds of hamper items, being collected during the day by those in need.
The Gold Coast SUNS are committed to areas of Youth Homelessness, Domestic Violence and the North Gold Coast region and this is the 2nd time the club have engaged in this well organised event.
Gold Coast SUNS General Manager of Marketing and Community Kelly Ryan spoke to the large audience there on the day and reconfirmed the clubs commitment long term to the Youth Homeless network and the clubs 3 charities it supports in this area.
“Over the past two years we have committed ourselves to providing a meaningful contribution to the youth homeless network. The work delivered by our three charities is outstanding and we are delighted to be able to assist these charities in the delivery of their key programs. Our involvement in events such as today’s is not only very rewarding for everyone involved but it is inspiring to see all the of the Gold Coast band together to address the issue of homelessness”
Today’s event concludes a big week of activity by the club in the Youth Homeless area, which has included the Face your Fears Day last Thursday, where the club took 50 Homeless Youths to Dreamworld with players including captain Gary Ablett and hosting 150 participants at Metricon Stadium for the St Kilda game.
Gold Coast SUNS players Gary Ablett, Daniel Harris and Nathan Ablett joined 50 Homeless Youth from the Gold Coast at Dreamworld today, as part of the Gold Coast SUNS annual ‘Face your Fears Day’.
The Gold Coast SUNS have committed to the areas of social responsibility in the Community, which includes working with and raising awareness of Youth Homeless, Domestic Violence and the North Gold Coast region.
‘Face your Fears Day’ is an opportunity for the club to work closely with the clubs three Youth Homeless charities (Gold Coast Youth Service, Project for Homeless Youth and YHES House) to provide a wonderful experience for those in need.
The participants had lunch with the players before they all Faced their Fears together on one of Dreamworlds scariest rides, the Giant Drop.
Gold Coast SUNS Captain Gary Ablett said “Youth Homelessness is a massive issue on the Gold Coast and as a club we are keen to raise awareness and help wherever we can.”
“The players really enjoy working with our charities, i know last years Face Your Fears Day was extremely successful and i have no doubt that by working together we can make a difference.”
The Gold Coast SUNS as part of the No Boundaries partnership program, have just completed their 2nd visit for the year to theremote Northern Peninsula Region community, the northern most point in Queensland.
The Gold Coast SUNS in partnership with AFL Cape York, NPARC and NPA College have embarked on the No Boundaries program to help encourage students to stay in school through the no school no play message.
The program has run for the first time this year through the financial support of FAHCSIA, to deliver the program.
Gold Coast SUNS players Roland Ah Chee and Alik Magin travelled up to the Cape York region to deliver the program over 3 days in the lead up to the Gold Coast SUNS vs Richmond game in Cairns.
This activities included talking to students about the importance of staying in school, being healthy and active and encouraging them to play sport.
And the message seemed to work.
For the first ever time, structured football games were held on the 2nd day of the visit, after promoting the event through all of the local schools earlier in the day.
With the goal posts having only gone in 2 days before at the New Mapoon oval, excitement through the day was building as a large crowd entered the venue.
First up was an Under 13’s game followed by the Under 16 game and finally the Open age game which saw a wonderful mix of the community including school teachers, police officers, Gold Coast SUNS staff, an AFL Executive and some wonderful indigenous talent, very new to AFL.
For many of those in the indigenous community, it was the first time they had ever kicked a football and for the majority the first time they had played the game, but as the game and night unfolded their natural talent showed their amazing ability to pick up the game of AFL.
AFL Cape York Program Manager Rick Hanlon said “ The Partnership program is a win win in all facets. It gives the GC SUNS the chance to broaden their brand and attract new supporters to the game “.
For us, it gives AFL Cape York a broader structure and program delivery and the kids get the chance to engage with professional athletes which in some cases are examples of players who have come from a similar environment”
Gold Coast SUNS Community Program Manager Corey Bell said “For our club to be our to contribute to a partnership program that benefits this remote community is great.”
“As a club, we are committed to working out in the community both on the Gold Coast and right throughout Country Queensland and this program allows us to do that”.
The No Boundaries program will have a return exchange visit during the middle of August which will be the 3rd and final part of the program and will allow 10 Indigenous students who have adhered to the program, to come to the Gold Coast and watch the Gold Coast SUNS play against Adelaide on Saturday 20th August.
Hundreds of young, excited junior players from junior clubs all over the Gold Coast got a wonderful surprise today when they were greeted by some of the Gold Coast SUNS most well known players at the annual AFL Gold Coast Junior Super Clinic at Carrara junior football club.
Some of the Gold Coast SUNS players included the likes of Vice Captain Nathan Bock, Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan, Josh Fraser, Daniel Harris and Karmichael Hunt just to name a few.
The young players have taken part in 2 full days of skill games, skill development, fun on the inflatable equipment and interaction with the Gold Coast SUNS players, as part of the AFL Gold Coast Juniors Holiday Superclinic. And again for 2011 the event was a sell out with a huge take up rate for very popular Super clinic.
The highlight of the day for the players, was the overwhelming number of young Gold Coast SUNS fans that ran over to greet them when they arrived.
Gold Coast SUNS Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “This is a wonderful day that is very popular and so well organised. The players really look forward to getting amongst the kids at this Super Clinic each year”.
“The exciting part for players was the overwhelming number of Gold Coast SUNS jumpers that greeted them for a much awaited photo or signature and to see the joy on the young players faces was terrific. “
All of the participants that took part in the two days received a showbag, a hat, drink bottle, lunch both days, a personalised certificate and interactions with their favourite players that will last a lifetime.
As part of the build up on the Gold Coast for the Gold Coast Marathon, the Gold Coast SUNS this week attended the launch Get Active Gold Coast month at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
Get Active Gold Coast month is a city wide event that aims to assist in getting Gold Coasters, more active, more often.
Gold Coast SUNS players Alik Magin and Roland Achee were on hand to talk about the clubs exciting new SHINE Schools program which encourages students who participate in the program to be Healthy and Active.
The exciting part of the program for students, is that Magin and 14 of his team mates actually deliver the program in schools across the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast SUNS Community Program Manager said” The Gold Coast SUNS are excited to be part of the launch of Get Active Gold Coast month”.
“The club have been proactive in this area, launching the SHINE schools program in early 2011, which will see well over 2000 young participants learn first hand about being Healthy and Active”.
Each of the participants that take part in the 4 week program receives a 24 page colour workbook that becomes a diary for students to continue to use well after they have completed the program.
For more information on Get Active Gold Coast month or how you can become involved in the Gold Coast SUNS SHINE schools “Healthy and Active” program click here :
The Gold Coast has this week seen hundreds of up and coming junior players as teams from 8 regions battle it out as part of the State Under 14 championships at Broadbeach FC.
Gold Coast SUNS player Tom Hickey, who came through the AFL Queensland Talent pathway, was on hand to speak to players about his journey before presenting medallions and the winning trophy at the end of the Grand final.
Hickey himself was a player that took part in Under 18 State championships, a similar pathway many of these will hopefully progress through in the next few years.
And the future looks bright with some fantastic games of football over the 5 days which in the end saw Brisbane North region the Northern Raiders take out their first ever State Championship title over the Country Kookaburras.
Forward line player and Queensland product, Alik Magin joined dozens of excited participants at the Teenage Adventure Camp Queensland this week on the Gold Coast.
The TACQ organisation is based on the Gold Coast is co ordinated by David Cameron.
The TAC-Q (Teenage Adventure Camps Queensland) through its camps, aims to create interaction between teenagers with life-threatening illnesses in order to inject some fun and positivity into their lives by providing them with the holiday of a lifetime.
As you can see by the photo here, Gold Coast SUNS player Alik Magin was a hit amongst the youngsters participating in the camp during this week.
The Gold Coast SUNS have come together with AFL Queensland on the Gold Coast, to encourage students with a Multicultural background, to give AFL a go.
For many of these students it is their first exposure to the game of AFL, the Gold Coast SUNS and the introductory Auskick program.
The program co ordinated by AFL Queensland and has been funded by Queensland Government, has been run in the North Gold Coast Region (at Upper Coomera State College), which is also one of the three charity pillars the Gold Coast SUNS supports, with the work it does in the Community.
Two weeks ago players Brandon Matera (both Italian and Indigenous background) and Tom Nicholls (Fijian background), headed out to Upper Coomera State College, where the program is being run, to provide some tips and encouragement to those participating, many for the first time.
Close to 70 participants have taken part in the 8 week program and whilst the player visit will certainly rank as one of the many highlights of the program, today will provide an experience the children will never forget, with every participant getting the opportunity to participate in the half time Auskick grid in front of a large Metricon Stadium crowd.
A big thank you from the Gold Coast SUNS to AFL Queensland, Queensland Government, Upper Coomera State College and the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast for the great work they have done in pulling this partnership program together and giving these students the opportunity to participate in this exciting new program.
The Gold Coast SUNS this week saw close to 50 of its players, head out to local Junior clubs, to encourage and support the next generation of juniors to Play AFL.
The club who work closely with the AFL Gold Coast Junior league, were keen to get out into the Community to support the wonderful work the local clubs do.
The afternoon visits involved players taking coaching clinics, assisting with training, signing autographs and having photos taken with many young fans and members.
The most encouraging sign that the players were well received, was the increasing number of red and yellow Gold Coast SUNS jumpers that greeted the players as they arrived.
And for some of the young Gold Coast SUNS players, this was the first time they have ventured out to a junior club to host a coaching clinic and the experience was a very enjoyable one that they look forward to in the near future.
The Gold Coast SUNS as part of their support of Junior Football in the coming weeks will also provide each Junior club with an authentic signed Gold Coast SUNS jumper to frame or fundraise with for 2011.
Gold Coast SUNS player Piers Flannigan and Talent Academy Manager Andrew Johnson, as part of the work the club do in the Community, recently visited the Mackay region supporting the AFL Mackay team with the work they do promoting the game of AFL.
The Mackay region is part of the Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy zone, which essentially stretches from north of Bundaberg to the northern tip of Queensland and also includes the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers region.
As part of the trip Flannigan was mobbed by nearly 100 participants at a pre organised AFL Mackay Super clinic on the Friday before both Johnson and Flannigan attended the Under 14 Country Championships that were held over the long weekend.
Flannigan presented the AFL Mackay Juniors with a jumper that has been signed by the entire Gold Coast SUNS team.
The Gold Coast SUNS will look to also visit other regional centres including Cairns (mid July), Townsville, Rockhampton and Bamaga (as part of the No Boundaries partnership program).
Metricon Stadium the home of the Gold Coast SUNS, was inundated this week with close to 400 local primary school students, as they took part in the final week of the first round of the SHINE schools program.
The SHINE schools program, which is a partnership program between the Gold Coast SUNS, GCCC Lifeguards and AFL Queensland will see over 2000 Grade 4 students engage in the program in 2011.
The program gives students from schools all over the Gold Coast, the chance to take part in a range of activities that have include :
Eating Healthy
Being active
Beach safety
Playing AFL
Students from All Saints, Saint Stephens College and Marymount College attended the carnival day at Metricon stadium in near perfect weather.
The activities on the day included :
Students touring the brand new stadium facilities, change rooms and interchange area
Students enjoying the new and exciting AFL Playground area and inflatable’s
Students participating in modified games of AFL on the Metricon Stadium training oval
Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “ As a club we are excited to be able to welcome schools from all over the Gold Coast to Metricon Stadium as part of the SHINE schools program"
“The day provides students with a real in house experience and is a great way to conclude the 4 week program”
The program which is proudly supported by McDonald’s Gold Coast has seen places in the program fill quickly with the program proving very popular with teachers and students in 2011.
For more information and to book your place click here.
The Gold Coast SUNS this week headed out into schools throughout the Gold Coast, to deliver the second round of visits of the clubs very popular SHINE Schools program.
Aimed at Grade 4 students, the SHINE schools program is a partnership program with Gold Coast City Council Lifeguards and AFL Queensland Game Development team, that focusing on Healthy Eating, Physical activity, Beach Safety and Playing AFL.
15 players who have undergone training for the program, deliver the program directly to the students.Schools involved in today’s visit included :
Silkwood Stinear
Surfers Paradise SS
Miami SSSouthport SS
Ashmore SSNerang SS
St Kevins SS
Close to 2500 students will go through the program in 2011 and the program has been very popular in the early days with most of the year booked out.
Students from local Gold Coast schools will then all come together to attend a culmination day at Metricon Stadium next week that will provide a wonderful experience for the hundreds of young students from all over the Gold Coast
Whilst the program is almost booked out for 2011, some places still remain and to reserve your place simply click here for more information.
Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna yesterday took ten local junior coaching co-ordinators from the AFL Gold Coast Junior League, through a coach mentor session they wont forget in a long time.
The coach mentor program, which is an initiative of both the Gold Coast SUNS and AFL Queensland, provides coaching co-ordinators from each of the Junior clubs from all over the Gold Coast, the opportunity to learn from a current AFL coach through this mentor process.
McKenna, who has driven the need for this program and been a willing Ambassador for the past two years of the program, gave local coaches from each junior club an insight on his world as coach, visit into the players meeting room and a few tips that the coach co ordinators can take back to their club coaches at grass roots level.
And for Coach McKenna, to add to the challenge yesterdays mentor program visit, was all done in amongst the hype and busy schedule of the team training yesterday as part of People's Day at Metricon Stadium.
McKenna said ”This program is important because like the players having coaches and assistant coaches to mentor them, young and developing coaches need coaches to mentor them as part of their development”.
“If by doing this program each year, the coaching co-ordinators from each club can pick up one thing that they can put into practice, then this program is worthwhile”.
Students from schools all over the Gold Coast have begun the first stage of the “Are you Smarter than a GC SUN players” AFL Quiz challenge this week.
The program which is an initiative of the Gold Coast SUNS and AFL Queensland, encourages students to participate in a variety of numeracy and literacy exercises through the AFL’s national AFL Quiz.Schools from all of the Gold Coast have registered to participate and take part in the challenge.
And the prizes for the winning school include a Gold Coast SUNS player visit and a visit from the Gold Coast SUNS promotion team.
For more information on the “Are you Smarter than a SUNS player quiz” click here.
A new program that will benefit families on the Gold Coast, was launched last week by one of the Gold Coast SUNS 10 charities the club supports in the Community.
ACT for Kids, who focus their efforts in the prevention of child abuse (and fall under the clubs social responsibility pillar of Domestic Violence), officially launched their new (HOF) Helping Out Families program in front of 50 stakeholders, staff and media at the new centre at West Burleigh.
Minister for Child safety and Sport Phil Reeves officially opened the facility and launched the new program as part of the day.
Gold Coast SUNS CEO Travis Auld and Community Programs Manager Corey Bell were there to support the charity, on their special day as representative of the Gold Coast SUNS.
Auld said “Its great to be here today to support one of the Gold Coast SUNS nominated charities, ACT for Kids, on such a big day.”
“Anything that benefits families and assists in the awareness and prevention of Domestic Violence we fully support”.
Gold Coast SUNS Ruckman Josh Fraser and club mascot SUNNY RAY were on hand at a local AFL primary school competition in May, to officially launch the inaugural Gold Coast SUNS Cup.
The Gold Coast SUNS Cup is a state wide competition co ordinated by AFL Queensland, that encourages Grade 6 and 7 students to play AFL, with the winner set to take out the first ever Gold Coast SUNS Cup.
The competition is the only true state-wide AFL competition run for Primary School students, from AFL and non-AFL backgrounds, and as a result is the most prestigious Primary interschool AFL competition in Queensland.
Formerly known as the Future Stars Cup, the Gold Coast SUNS cup will be run throughout regions all over Queensland with teams from as far north as Cape York and Mt Isa, and south to Northern Rivers of NSW, competing for the title.
Over 2000 participants are expected to take part in the Gold Coast SUNS Cup for 2011.
Regional winners from Pool A, B, C and D will get the chance to compete for the Gold Coast SUNS Cup at Metricon Stadium on Thursday August 4th – 2011.
The championship winning school will receive:
The winning school will receive a signed Gold Coast SUNS jumper for 2011
Team members of the winning school will receive a Gold Coast SUNS supporters pack
The winning school will receive the Gold Coast SUNS Cup - trophy
Members of the championship winning team receive a medallion
Members of the runners up team will also receive a medallion
Team members who participate in the finals receive a PowerAde pack
For more information on how you can enter the Gold Coast SUNS Cup, click here.
The Gold Coast SUNS kicked off the clubs first ever in school program, the new SHINE Schools program on the Gold Coast this week, throughout local schools on the Gold Coast.
Close to 400 students from All Saints College, St Stephens College, Benowa SS and Marymount College were beneficiaries of this new and exciting program.
The SHINE schools program is the first of its kind, in that it provides Grade 4 students the opportunity to SHINE and be the best they can be by participating in a program that focuses on :
Healthy Eating
Being Active
Beach Safety
Playing AFL
The program is unique in that it is run in a 3 way partnership involving the Gold Coast SUNS, Gold Coast City Council Lifeguards and AFL Queensland Game Development.
The most exciting part for students and teachers is that the 4 weeks program is FREE and culminates into a big carnival day at Metricon Stadium with all schools participating, attend the carnival day.
Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “The great thing about this program is that it is actually delivered by the players directly to the students. This is something the players are very excited about, being able to encourage the next generation to be healthy and active”.
“The club are very proud to be able to provide a program with such a variety of benefits to students and schools in partnership with Gold Coast City Council Lifeguards and AFL Queensland.”
The program which is proudly supported by Mc Donald’s Gold Coast, also includes students receiving a 24 page Colour workbook that they can continue to use long after the program concludes.
For more information on how your school can participate in this popular new program click here.
Gold Coast SUNS player Michael Coad and Gold Coast SUNS Mascot Sunny Ray, this week visited the home of one brave little Gold Coast boy who has been through so much recently.
Young Gold Coast SUNS fan, Jordan Breach less than 10 months ago, swallowed a piece of lego that left him in hospital in a coma, leaving the young boy with cerebral palsy.
Since then, young Jordan has returned home and the local Community have rallied around the Breach family, coming together to hold a fun day next Sunday 15th May at the Shearer Arms Tavern Ormeau from 12 – 5 pm, to raise much needed funds for Jordan and his family.
The Gold Coast SUNS promotions team will be joined by Gold Coast player Marc Lock and many people and businesses who have contributed to this family fun day.
Click here to watch the footage of the visit by Channel 9 news.
Gold Coast SUNS players Joel Wilkinson and Jeremy Taylor were on hand today at the AFL Queensland Grade 8 School of Excellence competition on the Gold Coast, to see some of the best young players participating within the South East region.
The competition is made up of 6 teams for Division 1 and 6 teams for Division 2 from the South East corner who all have AFL as part of their program in a School of Excellence program.
For young Gold Coast SUNS player Wilkinson, a product of the Palm Beach Currumbin High School excellence program, it was a chance today to give back to something he was part of not long ago.
Wilkinson said” It was great to come down today and encourage all of the boys participating in the day. Only a few years ago I was at Palm Beach Currumbin (one of the six schools) participating in competition just like today”.
AFL Queensland Schools Co orindator Sarah Hopkins said ”It was great to have the players here in person going round and talking to all of the players throughout the day. The young players got so much out of them being here.”
In terms of results of the day the two Gold Coast Schools dominated the day with Palm Beach Currumbin finishing top and Helensvale finishing second. The two Gold Coast Schools will now play off for the title on the 14th May at Yeronga.
The Gold Coast SUNS as part of their commitment to the Community of the Gold Coast, will partner with well known Gold Coast Children’s charity Paradise Kids through a player mentor program,as part of the clubs commitment to supporting the awareness of Domestic Violence on the Gold Coast.
This Gold Coast after-school program co ordinated by Paradise Kids, allows boys aged 8-11 years to experience being with a diverse group of men who will teach them how to be masculine without using violence, and also demonstrate how to show respect for others.
The boys learn strategies and skills for dealing with conflict in a non-aggressive manner. This program is fun and active, and parents also receive support through participation in their own group at the same time.
Over 50 youngsters and their families were joined by Gold Coast SUNS player Zac Smith, (who has been announced as the Clubs Domestic Violence Ambassador for 2011) and Jared Brennan this week , to take part in a mentoring session at the Paradise Kids Headquarters.
This also included the Gold Coast SUNS promotions team, who provided those in attendance the chance to engage in the inflatable skills gallery and the inflatable field as part of the session.
Paradise Kids Manager of Counselling Patrick Lynch said “We are delighted to partner with the Gold Coast SUNS on this young boys mentor program. The benefit of having good positive male role modelling for our young boys is crucial”.
“The Gold Coast SUNS have committed to supporting Domestic Violence as one of their 3 social responsibility area’s and this is evidence that they are honouring that commitment”
Gold Coast Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “Paradise Kids is a well know children’s charity of the Gold Coast that provides this wonderful program, to over 200 young boys each year.”
“To be able to strongly participate in a program that provides these boys strategies and skills to move forward with their life, is something the club is proud to be part of”.
The Gold Coast SUNS have launched their first Indigenous program at Queensland’s most Northern point, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).
The No Boundaries Partnership program will see the Gold Coast SUNS work with AFL Cape York, NPA College and NPARC to deliver a program that over time will see players :
Talking with Principles, teachers, parents, elders to explain program objectives and highlight the things parents can do to support the program
Co ordinating In School and after school coaching clinics
Deliver healthy lifestyle and nutrition messages
Assist teachers to deliver curriculum themed on AFL where required
Assist students with in class reading
Deliver practical coaching courses for volunteer coaches where required
Attend special community events
Adopt and visit individual communities with community children, after school
Act as mentors and demonstrate leadership
Gold Coast SUNS Players Jarrod Harbrow and Rex Liddy recently travelled to the remote NPA region which includes communities such as Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico.
As part of the trip, Harbrow and Liddy who have just been announced as the Gold Coast SUNS indigenous Ambassadors for 2011, engaged with communities both in schools and out in the community (as these photos show).
The program will also see Gold Coast SUNS players travel to the NPA region (Bamaga) again during the year in July to continue the initial work done in March.
Community Programs Manager Corey Bell said “As a club we are excited to be able to be part of the No Boundaries program in the NPA region. The work the players do will hopefully provide long lasting experiences and outcomes to the people within these communities”.
The program will also see the exchange of some of those participants in the program, participate in an exchange program in August, that will involve many experiences on the Gold Coast including attending the Gold Coast SUNS game against the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium.
“Giving our next generation the opportunity to SHINE”
The Gold Coast SUNS today launched its “SHINE” schools program, a new and unique community program that will benefit 3,000 students, all the next generation of Gold Coasters.
The “SHINE” schools program will allow the next generation to “SHINE” and be the best they can be through a three-way partnership with the Gold Coast SUNS, Gold City Council and AFL Queensland.
Each student who participates in the FREE six hour program that is run over a four week period will learn about:
HealthyActive
Sun smart
Surf safe
Play AFL
What makes the “SHINE” program unique is that it will be the first of its kind delivered in three-way partnership.
The Gold Coast SUNS players, GCCC Lifeguards and the AFL Queensland Game Development team will deliver the program through the generous support of McDonald’s Gold Coast.
McDonald's Gold Coast Licensee Jonathon Pitt said the Gold Coast licensees were happy to partner with the Gold Coast SUNS for such a great community program.
“We’re thrilled to be able to help a local sporting initiative like the Gold Coast SUNS Schools Program. McDonald’s is committed to supporting the communities that support us and we encourage children of all abilities to be active and have fun,” Jonathon said.
Each student will receive a colour booklet to use and work through as part of the program and will get to interact with the players in person as they deliver the program before participating in a fun based carnival at Carrara with other schools as a way of celebrating the conclusion of the program.
The program is available from Term 2 – 2011 and will cater for 3000 students a year participate.
To register your school for the “SHINE” schools program email shine@goldcoastfc.com.au
Close to 30 children and their families selected by Victorian charity group Project Dovetail, had an experience they wont forget, when they visited the Gold Coast last week.
The trip included a stop off at Metricon Stadium on the way to Dreamworld, in which Gold Coast SUNS player Josh Caddy and the Gold Coast SUNS promotions team greeted the entourage as they called in to the Gold Coast SUNS home.
The young visitors managed to participate in the inflatable handball and kicking target before getting autographs and photos.
The trip was organise by Ms Globe Australia winner 2010 Nikki Eastmure who through the Project Dovetail program gave many of these young people an experience they will never forget.
The children were chosen from organisations like Heart kids, The Salvation Army and The Leukaemia Foundation. The day was supported by some of the Gold Coast SUNS partners which included Virgin Blue and Dreamworld.
It was a case of the Gold Coast SUNS walking the talk at Carrara yesterday when GC SUNS CEO Travis Auld and club Community Manager, Corey Bell proudly presented cheques arising from donations to last year’s White Christmas Fund initiative.
Designed to help struggling Gold Coast families, the White Christmas Fund the brainchild of the Gold Coast SUNS, the Gold Coast Community Fund, the Gold Coast Bulletin, and Movie World.
Bell said monies raised were specifically earmarked for causes the club has singled out.
“Community is one our core values and we are absolutely committed to helping make a positive difference to ours. Youth homelessness, domestic violence and initiatives designed to promote community involvement on the Gold Coast’s Northern Growth Corridor are of specific interest to us. We are proud to be able to be able to help.”
Auld emphasised the club’s commitment during his presentation speech.
“There’s a sign on the wall as you walk into our club that’s says ‘What you do for yourself dies with you, what you do for others last forever’,” he said. “I suppose that’s sums up how we feel about our obligation is to our community.”
Donna Justow, from the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre, Margeret Spinks, representing Northern Growth Corridor region service providers, andAmanda Wright and Jason MacDonald from the Youth Homelessness Network each received $5200 to put towards their respective causes.
Gold Coast SUNS players Nathan Bock, Tom Lynch and Jacob Gilbee were joined by players from the Gold Coast Blaze today, to deliver presents to children in the children’s ward of the Gold Coast Hospital as part of the Beyond Building Energy’s annual Toy Drive.
The players helped deliver presents, to those in need, that had been collected from the Community over the last few weeks as part of the Toy Drive.
Every child received a wrapped Christmas present, as well as a Gold Coast SUNS showbag and hat, which bought smiles and delight to many of the young faces in the children’s ward.
Gold Coast SUNS Community Programs Officer said “All of the players have really enjoyed being able to assist those in need at Christmas time, in any way they can over the last few weeks”.
The Gold Coast Hospital visit is not the only time the Gold Coast SUNS players have helped those in need this Christmas, with the entire club recently contributing to one of the biggest charity events on the coast this year, the White Christmas Charity at Movieworld on December 3 this year.
The event saw close to 3500 of the most needy Gold Coasters attend the event from the clubs 3 charity areas (Youth Homelessness, Domestic Violence and the Northern Growth Corridor) in its inaugural year with all 50 of the Gold Coast SUNS players including the likes of Ablett, Hunt and Brown to name a few in attendance.
The players were involved in the Christmas parade with the characters under the glow of a million fairy lights and 20 snow machines at the start of the night, before then signing autographs and having photos taken with some of their biggest fans.
The White Christmas Charity Fund in the lead up to the event, also raised well over $30,000 for the clubs charities and the Gold Coast Community Fund, which will distribute much needed funding for many of the Gold Coasts charity groups programs in 2011.
The Gold Coast SUNS were out supporting the Gold Coast Community in a big way, when the club and its entire playing list participate in the inaugural White Christmas Charity Event at Movieworld on the Gold Coast this Friday evening.
The White Christmas Charity Event which is a joint community initiative of the Gold Coast SUNS, Gold Coast Bulletin, Movieworld and the Gold Coast Community Benefit Fund, provided 3000 of the most needy and disadvantaged Gold Coasters with a night they wont ever forget.
The night has been created to help bring a smile to the faces of those impacted by Youth Homelessness on the Gold Coast, Domestic Violence on the Gold Coast and those in need in the Northern Growth Corridor of the Gold Coast, the Gold Coast SUNS three charity area’s.
Attendees on the night will enjoyed :
• A free night out at Movie World for the White Christmas Spectacular including dinner
• A chance to see the Gold Coast SUNS players up close and get autographs
• Transport to and from the event and a photo with Santa
• A street parade with all of the Movie World characters that will feature the Gold Coast SUNS players and a chance to meet players and get autographs
• One million fairy lights down Main Street
The Gold Coast SUNS helped raise awareness against domestic violence by taking part in the White Ribbon Golf Day on Sunday.
For the second straight year the Gold Coast SUNS are strongly supporting White Ribbon Day on November 25 which helps raise awareness for the fight against Domestic Violence for women and children.
Gold Coast SUNS player Zac Smith, assistant coach Shane O’Bree and community programs officer Corey Bell took part in the golf day and assistant coach Shaun Hart spoke on behalf of the club.
AFL Queensland in conjunction with the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS talent academies held a Combine Event on Sunday 14 November in the Northern Growth Corridor at Saint Stephens College with 20 talented athletes to see if they have what it takes to play AFL at the highest level.
The young men, all aged from 16 to 17 years, come from Northern NSW and South East Queensland and were selected from an initial group of 150 athletes.
AFL Queensland’s Combine, formerly known as Rookie Search, is a five stage program run in partnership with the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS talent academies to provide athletes from non-AFL backgrounds in NSW and QLD with the opportunity to participate in and learn about the codes elite player pathways.
Karmichael Hunt (NRL) and Zac Smith (soccer) from the GC SUNS and Daniel Merrett (volleyball) from the Lions were on hand to speak with the athletes about the opportunities the talent academies can offer. Smith and Merrett are former graduates of the program while Hunt is the highest profile AFL recruit from another code.
Gold Coast SUNS players Roland Ah Chee, Rex Liddy and Liam Patrick visited Currumbin Junior Surf Lifesaving Club on Wednesday to promote multicultural and indigenous beach safety and culture.
The three young indigenous stars joined Queensland Minister for Child Safety and Sport Phil Reeves, Ironwoman Champion Hayley Bateup and members of the Gold Coast Titans in spreading the message of surf safety to Milpera State High School students.
Gold Coast SUNS players Alik Magin and Jack Hutchins were joined by the Gold Coast SUNS promotions team as part of the cross codes footy fun day at Riverstone Crossing.
The players and promotions team were joined by close to 500 participants who were keen to take part in the clinics and activities on offer for the day.
Gold Coast SUNS player Karmichael Hunt was on hand at Upper Coomera State College to lend his support to the schools new program which encourages students to take on further education or a job when they leave school.
The program is run in conjunction with the Beacon Foundation and encourages all Grade 10 students to sign a pledge to this great initiative.
Hunt has been an ambassador and role model to many students and residents of the region and he has become a very popular figure.
Gold Coast SUNS players Tom Nicholls and Piers Flannigan were on hand with the Gold Coast SUNS promotions team as part of the Livingstone College Fair.
The Gold Coast SUNS are committed to supporting the Community in the Northern Growth Corridor and this event is one of many in the NGC the club have supported in 2010.
Nicholls and Flannigan were on hand to sign autographs and meet fans and young participants before being on stage with one of the staff from Livingstone College who interviewed both the players.
The Gold Coast SUNS Promotions team, staff and Captain Marc Lock were in attendance at the AFL Gold Coast Juniors Grand Final on the weekend.
Teams from the Under 12’s to the Under 16’s took part at the Burleigh Heads ground.
Captain Marc Lock and CEO Travis Auld were interviewed by Hot Tomato who did a live broadcast and for the younger players whose season had already finished there was plenty to do with the GC SUNS Promotions teams inflatable field and skills target up and running on the day.
The Gold Coast SUNS were out in the Community this week to celebrate the Junior Clubs Annual awards night.
Karmichael Hunt was in attendance to present one of the major awards on stage and was interviewed by Hot Tomato’s Simon Carey.
Junior club Pacific Pines took out the best supporting club of the Gold Coast SUNS in 2010 and won $1000 of sporting equipment and a training session with GC SUNS players and staff.
The Coomera Magpies won the AFL Gold Coast Juniors Club of the Year award for 2010.
Gold Coast SUNS captain Marc Lock and backman Michael Gugliotta were at Mudgeeraba State School to help celebrate and promote Book Week yesterday.
Book Week, which runs in schools and libraries across the nation this week, celebrates books, reading and Australian authors and illustrators. Teachers and school and public librarians develop activities, offer competitions and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.
Lock and Gugliotta addressed school assembly to support the initiative and encourage students to read as often as they can.
Book Week is the longest running children's festival in Australia. This year it celebrates its 65th birthday.
For more information about Book Week celebrations, go to:
The Gold Coast SUNS was a proud attendee at the Ormeau Fair on the weekend.
Organised by Lions International, the Ormeau Fair has grown from strength to strength since its humble beginnings in 2004. Nowadays close to 10,000 people enjoy the two-day traditional country fair.
The Gold Coast SUNS promotions team’s kicking and handball target drew quite a crowd, so too GC SUNS players Karmicheal Hunt, Michael Coad and Jack Hutchins who signed autographs and chatted with locals.
Their attendance at the event was a coup for local juniors club Ormeau Bulldogs. From all reports the GC SUNS presence helped the Bulldogs sign up plenty of potential junior players for the 2011 season.
Ormeau is located in the Gold Coast’s Northern Growth Corridor, a part of the Gold Coast set to receive special attention from the GC SUNS - the club resolved early on in its life to commit time and resources towards the encouragement of community participation in the region.
All of the GC SUNS players are out in the Community tonight, visiting Junior clubs all the way along the Coast and participating in “Pie Night”.
The traditional Pie Night will be a great way for the GC SUNS players to meet junior players, fans and members before the end of the Junior club season which is fast approaching.
Players will be signing autographs and assisting coaches with training as part of their visit to the 11 Junior clubs.
Community Programs Officer Corey Bell said “The players are really looking forward to getting out in the Community amongst the Junior players and families this week before the season ends, mainly to say thank you for their overwhelming support this season”.
Rex Liddy was invited back to his original school of three years St Peters College in Brisbane’s West. Liddy addressed members of the schools AFL team that are currently playing in the AFL Qld Independent AFL private schools competition.
He spoke about his journey from Hopevale to St Peters and then to the Gold Coast SUNS. The visits were also part of the players development, learning how to speak in front of peers is great experience.
Karmichael Hunt visited Churchie which is where he went to school in Grade 11 and 12. Hunt Spoke to the students from Churchie that are currently playing in the AFL Qld Independent AFL private schools competition.
He spoke about his journey to the Broncos at a young age, discipline at training and being a Churchie boy. He also spoke about not being interested in AFL in Grade 11 but having an interest in “Giving AFL a go” in Grade 12 and having a great time.
Hunt wished players all the best for the season and answered a lot of questions. Coincidentally one of the players in the group of 30 or 40 odd was none other than Darryl White Jr (son of Darryl White from the Brisbane Lions).
The Gold Coast SUNS gave its support to the Gold Coast’s 2300 homeless by lending a hand this year’s Homeless Connect Day at Albert Waterways Community Centre last month.
Homeless Connect Day is organised by the Gold Coast Homelessness Network. Now in it’s third year, it’s an annual event aimed at bringing together volunteers, government and agency workers so homeless people or people living close to the poverty line can be connected to vital services.
Eight SUNS staff members were there to offer hands-on help at this year’s event. The SUNS Promotions team was also on deck with its giant inflatable field and to offer up plenty of giveaways. The club also took the opportunity to deliver twelve overflowing bins worth of donated goods collected by the families and friends of staff over preceding weeks.
Gold Coast SUNS Players Daniel Harris and Rory Thompson were on hand to support Junior players at the Gold Coast Stingrays Annual Awards night held at the Southport Sharks this week.
Harris and Thompson (who is a previous Stingrays player) presented awards and spoke to the 200 plus strong crowd about how the GC SUNS are going and what opportunities now exist for talented Juniors.
The Gold Coast SUNS will this week lend a helping hand towards the environment, in the lead up to National Tree Day which will be held on the 30th July 2010.
Planet Ark, together with assistance from Toyota national dealer network, encourages people from all age groups and communities across the country, to come together and plant trees to repair and restore Australia’s landscape.
Gold Coast SUNS players Alik Magin, Michael Coad and Ruck Coach Jeff White will assist young students from Trinity College Primary School to plant trees that have generously supplied by Grand Motors Toyota on the Gold Coast.
GC SUNS were able to “Connect” literally with the Youth Homeless this weekend when the team from Homeless Connect were on hand to raise awareness and funds for Homeless Connect Day on August 4.
Liz Fritz, Amanda Wright and Jennifer Grainger were joined by GC SUNS players Trent Mc Kenzie and Roland Achee at the gate of the GC SUNS home game and managed to raise $500 on the day in only a few hours with fans and members generously donating.
Dolphin Cove at Seaworld on a perfect winter’s morning was the scene for Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta on Friday as Channel 7’s Sunrise program did its bit to help celebrate the announcement of Gold Coast SUNS new name, guernsey and club song.
Beretta completed his sports crosses live from the event, one of which even managed to incorporate a stirring rendition of ‘The SUNS of the Gold Coast Sky’.
The GC SUNS players and GC SUNS Promotions team were overwhelmed with close to 120 Junior members attending the clubs first ever Junior Members Super clinic.
The young Suns took part in a multitude of activities that in the Giant inflatable skill target, inflatable field and goal kicking competition to name a few.
The participants all received a GC SUNS showbag, participant certificate and sausage sizzle as part of the experience.
The Gold Coast SUNS players and staff were on hand to hear from Gold Coast Prevention Centre of Domestic Violence representative and long time expert in the area, Donna Justow.
As part of our clubs commitment under the respect and responsibility banner, Donna spoke to the group about awareness of domestic violence and also the different levels of this.
The club will continue to work with the GC Prevention Centre of Domestic Violence in a strong partnership to continue to raise the awareness of this big issue that impacts the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast SUNS team were mobbed by hundreds of keen fans and members when they took part in a Superclinic at Cazalys Stadium on Sunday morning.
The Superclinic was part of the clubs three day visit in Cairns based around the game on Saturday and the promotional tour of Far North Queensland that is part of the clubs Academy zone.
Gold Coast Suns players participated in an after match signing session with close to 200 fans and members who stayed around until after the game.
The Gold Coast Suns went on to win the game against the Bendigo Bombers in Cairns by 1 point after a kick at goal by Zac Smith got them across the line.
GC Suns player and Cairns product Rex Liddy (in photo) also donated his boots after the game to the Cairns Junior AFL league who will auction these off at the end of the year and all proceeds will go back into the development of the game at Junior Level.
Townsville’s world-class Tony Ireland Stadium was a sea of tumbling footballs, team colours and smiling faces at a Gold Coast Football Club Superclinic yesterday afternoon.
The clinic, one of several GCFC regional promotional events taking place in the lead up to the club’s game against Bendigo Bombers in Cairns on Saturday, was attended by as many as 400 local junior footballers, some of whom had travelled hundreds of kilometres to take part.
High profile GCFC recruit Karmichael Hunt was there to meet and greet participants and offer a few words of advice. Afterwards he patiently signed hundreds of autographs and posed for photographs.
Later, a cluster of talented 14 to 18 year old juniors from Townsville and Mackay enjoyed an hour-long training session led by Gold Coast Football Academy Manager, Andrew Johnson.
Photos of the Promotions team in Rockhampton Tuesday and Wednesday where they were swamped by participants and local media. The inflatable football field and skill gallery were a big hit with all who attended!
The team are in Townsville today and will be joined by GCFC player Karmichael Hunt, Community Program Officer Corey Bell and GCFC Talent Academy Manager Andrew Johnson.
The guys will take part in a Junior League fundraising event to raise funds for local clubs in the region they will then head to Tony Ireland Stadium for a Superclinic at 4:00pm before hosting an Academy Training session for elite players in the region from 5:00pm until 6:00pm.
The Gold Coast Football team were joined by literally thousands of participants who had either supported or run the one of the many events that make up the Gold Coast Marathon.
With over 23,000 participants taking part in the event in 2010 – the promotions team were on hand to assist by providing an opportunity for many who were spectators (or who had competed and were keen to warm down) to take part in the activity on the giant inflatable skill gallery.
The club also provided the GC Marathon one of the major prizes for the schools competition which went to the school with the most entries. The prize consisted of GCFC promotions team and players at their school and receiving giveaways including GCFC team posters.
It was a day young footballer from Pacific Pines junior Australian Rules club will never forget – a meeting with and a photo with GCFC recruit Karmichael Hunt.
Young Matt had won the main prize of the AFL Q Fair day that was held a few weeks ago, which included a chance to meet Karmichael after the game and have his photo Karmichael as well.
Matt did not miss the opportunity to bring along a few of his team mates from the rapidly growing Pacific Pines Junior club.
The Gold Coast Football club were out Southport this weekend for the match against Box Hill.
The Promotions team were greeted by hundreds of keen and willing participants who were eager to get inside the inflatable field before going on to watch the GCFC play.
The Gold Coast Football Club Promotions team joined the AFL Queensland staff in Lismore to give young student an AFL experience on the inflatable equipment.
Overall 700 students took part in the visit from various schools all over the Northern Rivers region as part of the regions Naidoc celebrations.
The Gold Coast Football Club were out in the community this weekend, participating in the annual Mudgeereba Show.
Promotions team leader Harley Hollonds, was on stage as part of the day where the club gave away posters, supporters packs and stickers to those who ventured out to the iconic Gold Coast event.
Gold Coast Football Club were this week invited to be part of the Tamborine Mountain State Schools NAIDOC celebrations.
Players with an indigenous background that took part in the visit from the club included Roland Achee, Rex Liddy, Liam Patrick and Joey Daye.
The players took part in a formal information sharing session in front of 400 students which included talking about their tribe they came from, their indigenous experiences and sharing facts about their Aboriginal culture that many of the students and teachers were unaware of.
Patrick’s indigenous background includes being related to Melbourne superstar Liam Jurrah and Rex Liddy is the Cousin of North Queensland Cowboys Matt Bowen.
The highlight of the visit was when GCFC player Roland Achee surprised the big crowd that was on hand, with an impressive display of playing the didgeridoo which included a few special effects like the Kangaroo and the Boomerang.
The players and the GCFC promotions team then gave all 400 students and AFL experience, when all boys and girls took part in a clinic on the GCFC Promotions team’s giant inflatable field.
Four of the Gold Coast Football Clubs players took time out this week to pass on their experiences as players coming through the Talent program, in which 3 of the players had previously come through the AFL Queensland Talented Player pathway, with the other coming through the TAC Cup system.
Players Todd Grayson and Matt Fowler were guest speakers and presented players with their Stingrays Jumper in the north of the Gold Coast for the Northern Stingrays Under 14’s and Zac Smith and Matt Shaw were also on hand to present the players from the southern end of the Gold Coast with their jumpers as part of the Under 14 Southern Stingrays side.
The Gold Coast Football Club were out in force over the weekend to support Junior players in a new initiative introduced by AFL Queensland, to encourage players to make the jump from Auskick to Junior Club Football.
The “AFL Q Fair” concept saw over 100 participants take part in a carnival day, where young Auskick participants got to play games on the inflatable field, get autographs from Gold Coast Football Club players and receive give away’s from the Gold Coast Football Club Promotions team
Players Nathan Ablett, Joel Tippett, Jesse Haberfield, Jack Stanlake and Josh Milani were in attendance and signed hundreds of autographs for over an hour and they were joined by the local Junior AFL Clubs on the day who supporting the day
Young Pacific Pines Player Matt Major won the major prize on the day which included meeting GCFC player Karmichael Hunt with a few of his team mates.
The Gold Cost Football Club Promotions team were out and about in the Community this week giving the young AFL participants of the Gold Coast a Gold Coast Football Club experience.
The team were spotted at the following schools during the week :
Players Brandon Matera and Trent Mc Kenzie from the Gold Coast Football Club visited the Pines Shopping Centre this week with the GCFC Promotions team.
The players were out signing autographs and encouraging fans to take part in the handball competition with some great prizes on hand for those who took part.
The Gold Coast Football Club joined in the march for a good cause over the weekend, with the club participating in the Mayors March at Kurrawa park, raising the awareness and funds for Cerebral Palsy.
GCFC CEO Travis Auld and Head Coach Guy Mc Kenna took part and offered their support and took part in the event part beside the Mayor of the Gold Coast Ron Clarke and other well know Gold Coast Celebrities including Surf Star Hayley Bateup and Chief Lifeguard Warren Young.
The day raised over $2000 on the day and will with further fundraising will provide much needed funds which will contribute towards the construction of a purpose-built centre as an effective response to meet the needs of people with a disability now, and to provide for future growth.
Gold Coast Football Clubs newest recruit Karmichael Hunt was over run with enthusiastic fans this week, when he headed out into the Community to his first ever AFL Auskick centre in the Northern Growth Corridor of the Gold Coast.
Hunt, who was joined by young team mates Jake Crawford and Liam Rutledge from the club, was swamped at the front gates of the Jubilee Primary school, as hundreds of young children were keen to get a signature, a high five or merely a glimpse at the man who plays his 3rd National level sport within 12 months, this weekend.
An Hunt didn’t let the kids down. In between ensuring everyone present got autograph, Karmichael was in amongst every activity going with the kids, which included goal kicking, marking and handballing activities before being the guest judge of a longest kick competition by the GCFC promotions team staff members.
Community Program Officer Corey Bell said “ To see so many children keen to get out on the oval and be Healthy and Active because of his involvement, that may not normally participate in any sport, is fantastic”.
The AFL Auskick program will see around 4000 participants take part on the Gold Coast in 2010 from around 80 centres and will see close to 30,000 through out Queensland which contributes significantly to the 170,000 children that participate Australia wide.
Over the weekend, GCFC vice-captain Charlie Dixon returned to his home town to present the naming of the Kookaburras U14’s players for the State Championships.
The State Championships will be played at the end of the month on the Sunshine Coast.
The Gold Coast Football Club’s Promotions team were down in the Northern Rivers region this week out amongst the boys and girls who were participating in the AFL Auskick program during Term 2.
The Promo team and players visited centres at Bilambil PS, Banora Point PS, Mt St Patricks PS, Lindisfarne PS and St James CPS were all participants took part in a Gold Coast Football Club experience and received GCFC posters and giveaway.
The Gold Coast Football Club Promotions team were out in force at local Gold Coast school – Saint Stephens College on the weekend, where the club were supporting the SSC Olympics Fundraising event against FA Friedreich's Ataxia disease.
The SSC Olympics were the brainchild of organiser Mike Dwyer, who co ordinated the day to raise funds for (Friedreich's Ataxia Research Association) in which both his daughters have been effected by this little know disease.
Dwyer is also strongly linked to the club as he has played a significant part in the clubs short history, taking big man Charlie Dixon on board as a host Family for Dixons first 12 months.
The club were right behind the day which saw the Promotions teams major inflatable in action for all of the kids, GCFC Community Programs Corey Bell take part in the parents vs teachers and students basketball game and Bigman Charlie Dixon on hand to sign autographs for children and parents on the day.
Overall the day raised $50,000 towards the fight against Friedreich’s Ataxia disease.
Gold Coast Football Club supporting All Girls Auskick
The Gold Coast Football Club were out in the community today encouraging girls to give AFL a go, as part of an “All Girls” Auskick centre, encouraging female participation of AFL through the AFL Auskick program.
GCFC Players Jake Crawford, Luke Shreeve, Liam Rutledge and Lewis Moss were special guests of the All Girls Auskick at Somerset College, a local co-educational school on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Football Club Promotions team were Out and About this week at the local VFL Game, where Gold Coast Football Club took on the Geelong team at Southport Sharks.
The Promo team were swamped by many “young” GCFC supporters who were keen to get inside the inflatable field and kick a few goals.
The day was capped off by Gold Coasts first win of the year in front of a big crowd by 28 points !!!!!!!
The Gold Coast Football Club were guest visitors of the Gold Coast Hospitals Childrens ward this week, as part of the Hospitals Radio Lollipop program.
Radio Lollipop is an international organisation founded 25 years ago to provide care, comfort, play and entertainment for children and young people, primarily in hospitals. The service to children and young people is provided entirely by volunteers who have been especially selected, and trained to make a child’s stay in hospital more fun and less frightening.
GCFC Players Daniel Harris and Michael Coad took part in the visit which saw both of the players visit the wards of many of the children. The players provided a showbag and a GCFC football to each of the children, which will remain as a memento long after the players have left the hospital.
GCFC Community Programs Officer Corey Bell said: “ To see the joy on each of the children’s faces as the players entered the room, signified how important these visits are to the children and their families ”.
Rob Comer the Special Guest Coordinator at Radio Lollipop Gold Coast said: “This is one of the best visits we have ever had here at the Radio Lollipop. The children loved the Showbags and GCFC footies they received and thought both Michael and Daniel were amazing “.
The club look forward to supporting this program in the future and will be involved in the Radio Lollipop program that will begin at Pindara Private Hospital later this year.
For more information on Radio Lollipop click here.
The Gold Coast Football Club were out in the community last week to support one of the biggest events on the Coast over the weekend, the Mothers Day Classic Fun Run held at Main Beach.
With over 100,000 participants taking part throughout Australia, event organisers were overwhelmed with the 3000 participants who took part locally on the Gold Coast.
Numbers for the Classic have doubled since last years inaugural race which saw just over 1500 take part in the first week of May.
The Gold Coast Football Club were in full support on the day entering a team which amazingly included Head Coach Guy Mc Kenna, who took part in the 4 km run. Mc Kenna who seriously broke his leg in a freak training accident in March breaking both bones in his leg was remarkably able to complete the course along with a dozen other staff from the club who took part in the 4 or 8 km event.
GCFC will also donate $10 of every $45 adult membership purchased at the fun run to breast cancer research.
The club will continue on its theme of women in football in May, when next week it will sends out players out to Somerset College for an “All Girls” Auskick centre which will include over 50 participants using purely pink footballs receiving their all pink backpacks.
Players from the Gold Coast Football Club were invited guests at the Gold Coast Stingrays Under 16 Jumper Presentation held at the Mudgeereba AFC, in which the local Gold Coast team will take part in the Under 16 State Championships in early May.
David Swallow and Jack Hutchins were on hand to present jumpers to the players and guest speak to the boys and their families as part of the night.
The Gold Coast Football Club today celebrated reaching 5000 members by distributing free copies of the Gold Coast Bulletin with the new 2010 Team Poster.
The GCFC team including players Joel Tippett and Liam Rutledge were down at the Southport Mall this morning from 8:00- 9:00am. The 5000th Member Rowan Knowles, was also present to celebrate the milestone.
Gold Coast Football Club players Jesse Haberfield and Jack Stanlake along with some of the GCFC administration team were out in the Gold Coast Community this week as part of campaign to deliver membership cards in person.
The initiative has bought surprise and delight to many families on the Gold Coast over the past few weeks.
To become a member of the Gold Coast Football Club – click here
GCFC Coach Guy Mc Kenna and Mothers Day Classic Organising Committee member Robyn Cameron took part in a media event promoting the GCFC’s support of the event and cause recently.
The Gold Coast Football Club will throw its support behind this year’s Mothers Day Classic Fun Run on Sunday, May 9 2010 by donating $10 of every $45 adult membership purchased on the day to breast cancer research.
The Mothers Day Classic, which attracts 90,000 participants nationwide, helps raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
With this year’s Gold Coast fun run expected to attract 4000 runners, Mothers Day Classic Organising Committee Member Robyn Cameron, said she was delighted by GCFC’s commitment.
“We’re overwhelmed by the club’s support in the lead up to the run,” she said.
Thirteen GCFC staffers including McKenna will run in the event – so keep an eye out for team GCFC when your out and about over the weekend.
The Gold Coast Football Clubs promotions team were out and about at the Gold Coast Football Clubs 2nd home game of the season against Williamstown at Broadbeach with the inflatable field in action.
The Gold Coast Football Club Promotions team were out and about in club land this week, visiting the Coolangatta Junior Football Club for the annual Kids vs Parents game.
The exciting part for all participants this year was the promotions team had the brand new inflatable field to use which made it even more fun!
The Gold Coast Football Clubs Football Manager and 3 time priemership player Marcus Ashcroft and young GCFC player Luke Shrreve were out at the Under 16 Broadbeach Jumper presentation to present jumpers to the players, ahead of the 2010 season
Shreeve who was a former Broadbeach Junior had some words of encouragement along with Ashcroft.
Gold Coast Football Club were out in the Community this week to support the annual Youth Homeless Matters Day as part of National Youth Week.
The Gold Coast Youth Service and the Project for Homeless youth teams set up 750 balloons adjacent to Bundall Rd outside the Council Chambers, to signify one balloon for every Youth that is Homeless on the streets of the Gold Coast each night
Chairman John Witheriff, Community Programs Officer Corey Bell and players Liam Rutledge and Joel Tippett were on hand to lend their support to raising the awareness of this silent and challenging problem of Youth Homelessness on the Gold Coast which is one of the GCFC’s 3 social responsibility area’s it is strongly committed to
The promotions team set up the giant inflatable field to give everyone in attendance a chance to have a shot at goal – even the Adults got involved !
To view more photos from Youth Homeless Matters Day click here
The GCFC Promotions team were out in the Community over the weekend, when they recently attend with the inflatable at the Mudgeeraba Family Fun Day that was held on Sunday 11th April.
There was a huge turn out of players, coaches and families who got together to take part in the festivities, before the kick off of another big season in 2010 and they had a great time!
Players from the Southport and Pacific Pines Junior Australian Football Clubs wore the Gold Coast Football Club jumper as they took part of the half time activity of the Gold Coast Football Club and Port Melbourne game.
Players from the Under 9 and Under 10 teams took part in the game, that provided for many of children “a once in a lifetime experience” in front of a very big crowd of over 2000 people.
Young GCFC fans got to also take part in their first real taste AFL thanks to the GCFC Promotions teams new “inflatable field” which was a huge hit with not only the kids but also the parents!
The promotions team will be in action with the inflatable field at all local games on the Gold Coast in 2010 and the club encourage all budding GCFC future stars to get along and take part in the fun and to test their skills.
This week the GCFC promotions team headed down to the Kingscliff PS Annual Sportathon.
There were over 500 kids in attendance and the GCFC inflatable’s proved to be quite popular! The kids had a great time kicking the ball around and interacting with the promo team!
Players and staff of the GCFC got a taste of the action this weekend as part of Surfing Queensland’s – Surf For Life event that was held at Snapper Rocks as part of the Quicksilver Pro event.
While 44 of the worlds best surfers fought it out in waves up to 5 ft only a few 100m away – GCFC players and staff took part with celebrities, sports stars and junior surf stars all for a good cause.
The club was represented by players Matt Shaw, David Swallow, Business Development Manager Sam Eustice and Community Programs Officer Corey Bell.
Each of the teams were made up of 3 surfers and heats were for 25 minutes which flowed into semi’s and then a final.
Community Programs Officer Corey Bell was fortunate to get through to the semi finals – but his team was pipped at the post by Paul Burt’s team by 1 point to advance to the final, where they eventually were crowned champions beating Ky Hurst’s team to take out the inaugural event.
Some of the celebrities included Channel 9’s Paul Burt, Channel 7’s Liz Cantor, Ky Hurst and Fox Sports Gary Belcher.
The day was about fun and raising funds for the Starlight Foundation and GCFC were proud to participate in this Inaugural Community event.
Surfing QLD CEO Craig Harland, Corey Bell & Sam Eustice of GCFC & Ironman Ky Hurst
On Thursday the GCFC Promo Team took part in a sports excellence clinic for Coombabah High School students.
The session took place on the beautiful Burleigh Beach where there were 60 students rotating through a number of activities from AFL skills to learning how to surf.
GCFC Promo Team front man Harley looks on as a Coombabah student displays some very impressive tackling skills!
Sun, surf, sand & AFL - not a bad day school day for Coombabah High Students (& our Promo Team!).
This week the club spent Monday and Tuesday in the Northern Rivers region as part of the Gold Coast Football Clubs first Community Camp. This was part of the broader Telstra AFL Community Camp Initiative.
The event was a huge success as the club was able to provide a live open training session within the region for fans, members and media to attend, visit all Junior clubs within the entire region, raise well over $2000 for the local junior Northern Rivers League benefiting local clubs within the Community, educate, excite and entertain the local community through an open forum and camp dinner & visit in total close to 10000 participants in around 30 schools, clubs, hospitals within the Northern Rivers region.
The club would like to thank everyone involved!
Jake Crawford & Liam Rutledge speak to 200 kids from Bangalow Primary School
Jake Crawford & Liam Rutledge with kids from Murwullibah District Juniors
For the full Community Camp photo gallery click here.
The Gold Coast Football club promotions team were out and about in the Community as part of the RACV Royal Pines Family fun day recently.
Over 400 people were on hand throughout the day and participants took part in developing their handball and kicking skills with the Promotions teams on the Giant Inflatable.
GCFC players Jack Stanlake and club captain Marc Lock were on hand to give a helping hand to the many youngsters who took part and to hand out prizes and giveaways for those who took part.
The Gold Coast Football club were swamped recently at the Gold Coast City Council's Australia Day celebrations at the Evandale Council grounds at Bundall, with close to 30,000 Gold Coasters taking part in the celebrations across the day.
GCFC Players Jesse Haberfield and Michael Gugliotta braved the heat and were on hand to give the many GCFC fans some tips on how to hone their handball and kicking skills in the clubs Giant Inflatable and the promotions team were close at hand to reward those who took part, handing out prizes and giveaways.
Michael Gugliotta & Jesse Haberfield pose with fans.
Yesterday GCFC players David Swallow and Brandon Matera joined the GCFC promo team at the Police Citizen Youth Centre for some healthy and active school holiday fun. Over 100 kids were keen to learn more about health and fitness, while also taking part in plenty of activities throughout the day. This was a great initiative which aimed to raise awareness of childhood obesity and show kids that leading a healthy lifestyle can also be loads of fun!
Very happy kids with their GCFC showbags
Brandon Matera helps out with the handball challenge
On Sunday at the Annual AFL Gold Coast Juniors Conference, the Gold Coast Football Club presented AFLGCJ President Ian Barfoot with a signed jumper as a token of thanks for their support throughout 2009. We look forward to continuing a great relationship in 2010 and beyond!
GCFC Community Programs Officer Corey Bell & AFLGC Juniors President Ian Barfoot
The GCFC Roadshow made it’s way to the new Highland Reserve State School on a hot and stormy a Gold Coast day. GCFC player Jack Stanlake was there to answer questions from the kids as well as handing out some prizes.
90 kids at the Marymount College Auskick Roadshow were treated to an appearance from GCFC captain Marc Lock and Deputy Vice Captain Jack Stanley who gave out prizes to each of the little Auskickers!
The Gold Coast Football Club was right amongst the action on Thursday at Super GP Students Day!
The GCFC display stand was jam-packed with kids lining up to ask questions about the club, take part in handballing competitions, score loads of goodies, check out the images of the brand new stadium and get autographs from GCFC players Jack Stanlake and Jesse Haberfield.
As well as this the GCFC boys took to the stage to answer questions from students about what it takes to play sport at an elite level.
Here are some pics from the day...
GCFC players Jesse Haberfield & Jack Stanlake with students.]
Students flock to the GCFC display stand for some AFL fun!
All Saints Anglican School students got a visit from the GCFC Promo Team this week as a reward for all their hard work playing AFL this year. Around 40 students took part in the fun and games and were rewarded with an essential GCFC goodie bag for their efforts.
GCFC Promo Team's Harley looks on as one student gets airborne!
The guys and girls show us their stuff at the inflatable kicking and handballing targets.
Corey Bell has been appointed as GCFC's Community Development Officer.
Corey has worked for years as the AFLQ Game Development Manager and is looking forward to his new role with the club where he will be responsible for managing the community programs.
Last night GCFC's Official Partner The Good Guys held a VIP sale at their Robina store. Hundreds of people were there to take advantage of the sale, and GCFC's Rory Thompson, Matt Storey and 'GC' the mascot were on hand to take part in some handballing comps inside the store!
Whilst their parents walked away with some fabulous new electronic appliances, the kids weren't empty handed with plenty of GCFC goodie bags given away! Keep your eyes open for Good Guys Helensvale 1st Birthday celebrations this weekend with huge discounts available and prizes to giveaway!
What a weekend! Whilst the GCFC players were down in VIC playing in their first ever final, local GC AFL action was pumping!
The AFL Gold Coast Juniors Grand Finals were held at Broadbeach AFC on Saturday and Sunday and our GCFC Promo Squad was right amongst the action. It was a great weekend of thrills & spills on the field, as well as plenty of excitement around the concourse.
The Premiers were:
U/16 Division 1 -Southport Sharks
U/16 Division 2 - Burleigh Bombers
U/14 Division 1 - Surfers Paradise Demons
U/14 Division 2 - TWC Blues
U/12 Division 1 - TWC Blues
U/12 Division 2 - Surfers Paradise Demons
GCFC Partners Bank of Queensland and Hot Tomato were at the ground on Saturday for the big finale of their 'Footy Finatics' promotion. There were ten winners from the weekly on-air footy quiz who had to be at the ground on Saturday. All ten finalists had to sport a GCFC guernesy and one lucky winners guernsey number was randomly drawn by a BOQ representitive. The lucky winner was Bryan Ayton from Parkwood, who has won himself two tickets to the Toyota AFL Grand Final & Centre Square function, as well as flights and accommodation. Well done Bryan and thanks to the other contestants!
The GCFC Promo Sqaud spent Friday surrounded by ferry floss, ferris wheels and fans! The guys were mixing it with kids and their families who were lucky enough to score a day off thanks to the annual GC Show public holiday.
GCFC player Matt Storey and 'GC' the mascot were there to participate in the fun and games which included a kick-off. Here are some happy snaps captured throughout the day...
'GC' and the lads from the GCFC Promotions Squad headed down to the launch of the brand new Broadwater Parklands yesterday for plenty of fun in the sun!
The day was a hit with hundreds of families heading to the new community destination. The GCFC team were on hand to demonstrate their AFL skills, host kicking and handballing competitions and also enjoying a chance to take in some of the other sites the venue has to offer, including a fantastic peer running out over the water. The new parklands are a great initiative for the GC community and we look forward to spending many more a sunny Sunday down by the water!
Well it was all happening at GC Stadium today as a host of local footy fans poured through the gates to get behind their team in the second last GCFC home game for 2009! The family day concept meant there was plenty of fun for everyone with face painters and a balloon clown proving popular amongst the kids, as well as plenty of activities with the GCFC Promo Team happening throughout the morning.
There was plenty of footy action on-field with the Gold Coast defeating the Bendigo Pioneers in their TAC Cup Round 18 clash, meaning the guys are through to the finals in their inaugural year! Following the GCFC game local AFLQ champs Southport Sharks were successful in defeating the Northern Territory.
Matt Fowler & Joseph Daye attended the Ormeau Fair over the weekend. With approximately 8,000 people attending the event the boys were kept busy playing kick to kick & handing out prize packs to fans!
Joseph Daye & Matt Fowler with 'GC' and a little fan.
Yesterday Southport Sharks Juniors played at half-time to the Gold Coast Football Club TAC Cup game at GC Stadium, Carrara.
The Southport Sharks Under 10's sported GCFC mini league guernseys while they played and then cheered on the GCFC team as they returned to the field after their half-time break.
Surfers Paradise Demons Under 10's played at half time to the GCFC game on Saturday at GC Stadium, Carrara. As part of a GCFC & AFLGC Juniors initiative, the kids wore GCFC mini league jumpers and then cheered the currect GCFC team back onto the ground after their half-time break. The Surfers Paradise & Labrador Tigers U 16's played a curtain raiser to the GCFC v Western Jets game.
Surfers Paradise Under 10's cheer the GCFC players onto the ground. Surfers Paradise Under 10's players.
The 2009 Super Skills Clinic was held at Carrara Stadium on Tuesday 30th June and Thursday 2nd July.
Boys and girls between 7 and 12 years participated in this fun AFL experience during their school holidays. It included 2 days packed with fun, skills sessions and tuition from qualified AFLQ game development staff.
Richmond and Gold Coast Football Club players assisted with the drills and skills sessions, and 'GC' the GCFC mascot also made a couple of appearances for the kids.
The Gold Coast Football Club’s mascot ‘GC' was among the thousands of people who flocked to the annual Mudgeeraba show. Joined with Hot Tomato, ‘GC' trekked through the showground to take part in the many activities that were held and also provided some activities of his own. Handball and kicking competitions were held at the AFL/Hot Tomato stall with numerous kids taking part. There were also showbags and many prizes handed out to the community.
GC gives away some GCFC showbags. GC with some fans at the show.
The Gold Coast Football club and AFL Gold Coast Juniors have joined together in a bid to endorse young kids to play AFL.
This is a move that sees GCFC players carrying out Auskick sessions at clubs all over the Coast, as well as providing the junior players with gifts, such as footballs and posters.
Todd Grayson, Charlie Dixon, and Troy Jameson headed to Pacific Pines Power Football club last Wednesday to hold the second session of the joint plan. Gerard Moore, Declan Bevan and Jack Stanley held the third session at the Labrador Tigers Football Club last Thursday.
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