The Gold Coast SUNS will head back to Mackay for the JLT Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs at 6:40pm local time on Sunday March 3 at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said bringing the match to Mackay was a win for the local tourism industry.
“The people of Mackay love their sport. It will be great to see the Gold Coast SUNS make their mark with another AFL pre-season match in 2019,” she said.
“We know this event will give a great boost to the local tourism industry. We hope footy fans travelling to the region to watch the Game stay in Mackay and experience more of what the region has to offer.”
The JLT fixture in Mackay comes on the back of the Gold Coast SUNS recently announced four-year destination partnership with the Mackay Regional Council that will see the SUNS Women’s team play a game each year at Great Barrier Reef Arena, along with Mackay Waterfront branding prominently positioned on both Women’s Winter Series and AFLW apparel.
Mayor Greg Williamson said it was fantastic news that the Gold Coast SUNS men’s team would be returning to Mackay for a JLT Community Series match at Great Barrier Reef Arena on March 3.
“The excellent facilities at Great Barrier Reef Arena, including upgraded lighting, means this match will be broadcast on Fox Sports, providing great exposure for our region,’’ Cr Williamson said.
“We recently announced a major partnership with the SUNS AFL Women’s team as a major destination partner and our ongoing relationship with Tourism Events Queensland has helped secure this game,” he said.
Gold Coast SUNS Acting CEO Andrew Thomas said he was excited to see the SUNS presence in Mackay increase.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be kicking off our 2019 campaign against the Western Bulldogs at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay,” Mr Thomas said.
“This will be the second time the club has played a JLT Community Series game in Mackay. In 2017 we had great support from the community when we held on to beat Essendon by three-points in a thriller and we are looking forward to that same level of support in 2019.
“We are also absolutely thrilled to be strengthening our relationship and presence in Mackay. Last month we welcomed Mackay regional Council as a partner of our Women’s Programs and we are pleased to be able to bring further content to Mackay.
“We have been pretty vocal in saying that the Gold Coast SUNS are committed to continuing to grow the game of AFL throughout north Queensland, the region is a significant part of our Talent Academy and we value that we’re able to provide a pathway for young and aspiring junior footballers, both boys and girls, to play the game at the elite level,” Thomas said.
The second week of the JLT Community Series will see the SUNS head to Oakes Oval in Lismore, Northern New South Wales, to face Sydney Swans.
Ticketing details will be available on goldcoastfc.com.au soon. 
Click here for the full JLT Community Series Fixture.
