Entering his third season as a Gold Coast player, local product Jesse Joyce is still singing the praises of the club’s Academy.

The 20-year-old’s profile continues to grow, and he is excited to see so many other Academy Graduates joining him on the list.

“It’s awesome because we’ve got so many home grown talents here now as well,” Joyce told the media at an Open Training session at Palm Beach Parklands on Friday.

As one of nine Academy Graduates at the SUNS, he is keen to work closely alongside the others to ensure that that number continues to grow.

“I think that’s just going to be a massive pathway for us going forward and I look forward to working with the Academy boys hopefully to try and help them,”

“I wouldn’t be here without the Academy and I’ve got no doubt when I say that.”

The defender signed a contract extension in late December, and it’s clear that there’s no other place that he wants to be.

With 28 games of senior footy under his belt, Joyce is looking forward to continuing his development with the knowledge that his future is secure.

“It just gives me the opportunity to be comfortable with staying at the club and trying to work on my footy side and not worry about the small things, so it’s really exciting,”

“With me, this is where I’ve grown up. I love playing for this club and I really want to be part of a successful era at this footy club.”

The SUNS conducted Friday’s training session at Palm Beach Parklands, with the location all too familiar for Joyce.

“This is one of those spots that I’ve grown up in,”

“It’s a great spot to do our training session, and it was really good to get out with the fans,”

“It’s just awesome to give back to the fans...being at the beach, which is a big part of our lifestyle, and it’s just awesome to get around it with all the fans.”