On 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
The Gold Coast Football Club unveiled it’s nickname Gold Coast SUNS, the 2011 Guernsey’s and song on July 22. Click here to read all about it!
