The Gold Coast's very own AFL side was unofficially born on 31st March 2009, when at the club’s inaugural player launch, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou took to the stage and announced a consortium bidding for the Gold Coast to become the leagues 17th team (GC17) had been successful in gaining a provisional licence to compete in the AFL from 2011. The attendees were made up of representatives from the community, junior football clubs, local supporters and government organisations including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke and Gold Coast City Councillors.

A critical element of building our football club was establishing and maintaining a community connection. Its promise remains to ensure that the club will have meaningful engagement with the community and our pathway ensures that the Gold Coast Football Club will be owned by its members within a few years.

On July 22, 2010 after an exhaustive search and community consultation, the Gold Coast's nickname, colours and team song were revealed at a gala function at the Southport Sharks Function centre.

The team, wearing the red, gold and blue, would be known as the Gold Coast SUNS.
Gold Coast SUNS Chairman John Witheriff said the Gold Coast community had stood up and been counted when asked to support the GC17 bid launched in April 2008.

“I believe the Gold Coast has been given an incredible opportunity and the successful licence bid was for all of us who know an AFL team can succeed on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It was a time for celebration but now we continue the hard work required to build the heart and soul of a successful football club. This is another step in our journey to becoming the most exciting sporting club in Australia.”

After competing in the Under 18 TAC Cup and VFL in 2009 and 2010 respectively, the SUNS made their AFL debut against Carlton on 2nd April 2011 at the Gabba in Brisbane, with their home ground unavailable due to reconstruction work.

The Gold Coast had to wait until Round 10, 2011 before hosting its first match at home. The SUNS took on the Cats on July 28, in front of a capacity crowd at the AFL’s premier venue, Metricon Stadium.

The Gold Coast SUNS are building a reputation as the most exciting football club in Australia. Strong values and a culture of success both on and off the field are central to achieving this goal.

The journey is only just beginning.

April 22, 2008- The Australian Football League formally invited a group of Gold Coast business and community representatives to form a board to participate in a six month process to demonstrate an AFL licence for a new team based on the Gold Coast had all the foundations for long-term success. GC 17 was born.

The process established the structural elements and framework that the Gold Coast group had to deliver before a licence was granted.

The GC 17 Bid Team was led by Minter Ellison Gold Coast managing partner John Witheriff, ex-Brisbane Lions president Graeme Downie and Southport Football Club president Dr Alan Mackenzie, CEO of the Gold Coast City Council Dale Dickson and Gold Coast Bulletin Editor-in-Chief Bob Gordon.

See how the GC 17 Bid Team met the criteria for a 17th AFL Team - click here.

View the list of Vice President’s whose generous support helped make the Gold Coast SUNS a reality - click here.

June 2008- It is revealed the Gold Coast Football Club (GCFC) will have a side compete in the Under 18 TAC Cup side in 2009, and then the VFL in 2010.

August 2008- Gold Coast appoint Guy McKenna as coach.

March 31, 2009- AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou grants a provisional license for the Gold Coast to have their own AFL team, commencing in 2011.

April 4, 2009- Gold Coast play their first match in the TAC Cup, going down by 38 points to the Eastern Ranges.

April 12, 2009- Gold Coast record their first win in the TAC Cup, defeating the Western Jets by 134 points.

May 15, 2009- Highly respected Essendon administrator Travis Auld joins the Gold Coast as CEO.

July 29, 2009- Brisbane Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt stuns the sporting world by announcing he will be switching codes and plying his trade in the AFL with the Gold Coast Football Club, commencing in 2010.

September 13, 2009- After winning their elimination final, Gold Coast bow out of the finals of the TAC Cup, going down to the Geelong Falcons by 41 points in the semi-final.

October 2009- Coach Guy McKenna has his contract extended until the end of the 2012 season.

December 15, 2009- Gold Coast select Daniel Harris, Michael Coad, Sam Iles and Danny Stanley in the AFL rookie draft to bolster their squad for the 2010 VFL season.

March 15, 2010- Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara, will undergo a refurbishment, and will be the home of the Gold Coast Football Club. It will be known as Metricon Stadium.

April 10, 2010- Gold Coast makes its VFL debut, going down to Port Melbourne by 12 points.

May 15, 2010- Gold Coast wins their first game of the VFL season (after a draw in Round 3), defeating Geelong by 28 points.

June 12, 2010- Karmichael Hunt makes his VFL debut for Gold Coast against Coburg Tigers, and kicks two goals.

July 22, 2010- The GCFC reveals its nickname, team colours and team song ahead of its AFL debut in 2011. They will be known as the Gold Coast SUNS, wearing red, gold and blue. Click here to read all about it!

August 17, 2010- Nathan Bock (Adelaide Crows) is announced as a Gold Coast SUNS uncontracted player signing.

August 21, 2010- Gold Coast play their final game in the VFL, and are defeated by Collingwood by 50 points at Victoria Park.

September 2010- Sam Iles is named as the Gold Coast club Champion in their VFL season.

September 1, 2010- Nathan Krakouer (Port Adelaide) is another uncontracted player signing for the SUNS.

September 7, 2010- Brisbane Lions B&F winner Michael Rischitelli joins the SUNS as an uncontracted player signing.

September 14, 2010- Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown announces he will be joining the SUNS as an uncontracted player signing.

September 21, 2010- Jarrod Harbrow (Western Bulldogs) reveals he will be heading home and joining the SUNS as an uncontracted player signing.

September 29, 2010- After months of speculation, the SUNS reveal they have sealed the signature of the 2009 Brownlow Medallist and dual Geelong premiership player Gary Ablett to a five year deal.

October 7, 2010- Former Number 1 National Draft Selection Josh Fraser (Collingwood), and mercurial Brisbane Lions forward Jared Brennan join the SUNS via a three way trade.

November 18, 2010- Holding eight of the first 13 selections at the National Draft, the SUNS are able to select the cream of the young talent around Australia. They duly select David Swallow (Number 1), Harley Bennell (2), Sam Day (3), Josh Caddy (7), Dion Prestia (9), Daniel Gorringe (10), Tom Lynch (11) and Seb Tape (13). They also select Jeremy Taylor (39) and Jacob Gillbee (49).

December 7, 2010- The SUNS select Nathan Ablett, younger brother of Gary Ablett, with the number one selection in the Pre Season Draft.

January 19, 2011- The SUNS announce their leadership group for their debut season, with Gary Ablett named as captain. Nathan Bock is announced as vice-captain, with Campbell Brown deputy vice-captain.

April 2, 2011- After a Round 1 bye, the wait was over for the SUNS as they make their AFL debut against Carlton at the Gabba in Brisbane. In front of 27,914 fans, the SUNS endure a difficult night, going down by 119 points. Charlie Dixon kicks the SUNS first ever goal in the AFL.

Inaugural Team
B: S. Tape, N. Bock, C. Brown
HB: N. Krakouer, K. Hunt, J. Harbrow
C: T. McKenzie, D. Harris, M. Rischitelli
HF: D. Stanley, C. Dixon, A. Magin
F: J. Brennan, Z. Smith, B. Matera
FOLL: J. Fraser, D. Swallow, G. Ablett
I/C: M. Lock, H. Bennell, D. Prestia, J. Toy (Sub)
EMG: M. Weller, D. Gorringe, M. Coad

April 23, 2011- Despite trailing by 40 points in the third quarter, the Gold Coast SUNS record their maiden victory in the AFL, defeating Port Adelaide by three points at AAMI Stadium.

May 7, 2011- The inaugural QClash between the SUNS and the Brisbane Lions is an absolute thriller, with the SUNS holding on for an eight point victory to claim bragging rights. Former Lion Jared Brennan is awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best afield.
May 28, 2011- The SUNS play their first match at their refurbished home ground, Metricon Stadium, against Geelong. They SUNS take it up to the Cats, leading at half time before running out of legs and going down by 66 points. The match is memorable for Karmichael Hunt's first goal in the AFL, a booming 60 metre effort on the run.

July 16, 2011- In the first match played for premiership points in far North Queensland, the Gold Coast Suns defeat Richmond by 15 points to record their third win of the season.
September 9, 2011- SUNS skipper Gary Ablett is unsurprisingly named as the clubs inaugural Club Champion. Nathan Bock finishes runner-up, with Michael Rischitelli in third place.

November 24, 2011- The SUNS are only minor participants in the National Draft, selecting Henry Schade, and Alex Sexton and Jackson Allen as zone selections. They also receive Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock as a trade deal. But in a big coup for the club, they were able to sign 17 year old talent Jaegar O'Meara in the mini draft. He will be ineligible for selection in 2012, but will spend the year with the SUNS to prepare for 2013. The SUNS also select Aaron Hall in the Pre Season Draft.

November 2011- Determined to make improvements in their second season, the SUNS playing squad is put through a rigorous pre-season altitude high training camp in Arizona, in a move which is similar to that of other AFL clubs.

March 2012- The SUNS announce their leadership group for 2012, with the only change being Michael Rischitelli replacing Campbell Brown as deputy vice-captain. Karmichael Hunt, Zac Smith, David Swallow and Andrew McQualter are also named leaders.

July 14, 2012- The SUNS claim their first win of the season, with an extraordinary come from behind win against Richmond in Cairns. Trailing by 16 points with under a minute remaining, the SUNS rally and a goal after the siren to Karmichael Hunt sparks jubilant celebrations by the players.

August 11, 2012- The SUNS celebrate their maiden victory at Metricon Stadium with a five goal win over new boys the GWS Giants.

August 25, 2012- The SUNS cause the upset of the AFL season, defeating the finals bound Carlton by 10 points at Metricon Stadium.

September 8, 2012- Skipper Gary Ablett makes it back to back Club Championships, with a runaway win. Harley Bennell finishes runner-up, and Danny Stanley in third spot.