The always-boisterous Jeff Kennett received a resounding welcome into the Gold Coast SUNS heartland today, meeting with more than 250 young professionals in a private luncheon at Metricon Stadium this afternoon.

The Chairman for Beyond Blue, former Victorian Premier and the renowned AFL figure-head who delivered premiership success during his tenure as President of the Hawthorn Football Club, arrived to the tourist capital today to address the Youth Professionals Gold Coast Association, putting forth his recommendations on how to expand the growing Gold Coast market.

Serving his full-term as President of Hawthorn, Kennett was largely responsible for building a sustainable football culture through the successful strategic plan of “Five-2-Fifty” –effectively seeking to secure in two premierships and 50,000 members five years.

Prior to delivering his speech on culture development and organisational leadership, Kennett spoke exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au, highlighting the importance for the GC SUNS to implement such a significant strategic vision in 20-ONE-3.

“The concept of setting a target is incredibly important for all organisations in today’s corporate world,” said Kennett.

“Every organisation, whether it is a football team or a corporate sector, has got to have a vision, a set of objectives and a goal for the reason to be in business.”

When asked whether 20-ONE-3 was too large an AFL vision for the Gold Coast market, Kennett said he believed the Club would rise to the challenge.

“You always have to have goals just beyond your reach…. There’s no point implementing goals that are easily achievable,” Kennett said.

“The goal of reaching 20,000 members and a premiership in the next three years is a big ask - yet it’s certainly not impossible.”

“Therefore, the challenge and question is - how everyone rises up to meet it?”

Joining Kennett at the Youth Professionals Gold Coast luncheon were Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and GC SUNS Chairman John Witheriff, who also highlighted the importance for the Club’s 20-ONE-3 vision.

“We believe very strongly that the current GC SUNS playing group, under the guidance of Guy McKenna and Malcolm Blight, can step up and win an AFL Grand Final in the next three years.”

“But we also know though that for us to be financially viable and have a successful future, we need at least 20,000 members… so being a community-based Club we’re asking the community to back sure they give us their support by joining on this year as a 2013 GC SUNS member.”