This weekend’s Round 22 Toyota AFL Premiership home fixture against Geelong will officially see Gary Ablett Jnr recognised for his contribution to the Gold Coast SUNS Football Club.
As part of the Thank You Round Celebrations at Metricon Stadium, Ablett will officially be awarded with Life Membership, after it was ratified by the Board in late 2021 but the club’s inaugural captain was unable to receive the award due to Covid restrictions.
Gary will return to Metricon Stadium a scene of some of his greatest footballing memories and be presented the award in the official pre-game Chairman’s function, before members and fans have the opportunity to thank Ablett in a pre-game on-field presentation.
Ablett’s contribution to the formative years of the Gold Coast SUNS was profound, including as inaugural club captain for six seasons, four Club Champion awards in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017, All Australian Honours in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and Brownlow Medal in 2013 as a SUNS player.
The club announced on Monday that it had surpassed a historic milestone by signing over 20,000 Members in 2022.
In 2021 the club set its highest membership total of 19,460, and 2022 marks the third-straight year the club has broken its membership record, with 44% growth since 2019.
The Gold Coast SUNS want to encourage all members to come out to Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon to be part of the Thank You Round celebrations, acknowledge Gary Ablett’s achievement and cheer on Your Club at the final home game of the season.
Gold Coast SUNS Life Members:
- John Witheriff
- Bob Gordon
- Jarrod Harbrow
- Alan ‘Doc’ Mackenzie
- Michael Rischitelli
- Bob East
- Paul Scurrah
- David Swallow
- Alex Sexton
- Gary Ablett
