.png)
The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to announce that Mark Riley and Ben Mathews will join the club in 2013.
Riley brings in excess of 18 years worth of AFL and WAFL coaching experience to the GC SUNS most recently with the Carlton Football Club, while Mathews’ appointment is his first role with an AFL club since retiring from the Sydney Swans at the end of 2008.
Senior coach Guy McKenna welcomed the pair to the Gold Coast.
We are thrilled to confirm that Mark and Ben will join the club next season. We believe both men have a significant amount to offer our club.McKenna confirmed that Riley, who will fulfil the role of forwards coach, will bring valuable experience to the SUNS.
"Mark has a proven track record as an assistant coach, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be able to hit the ground running when he starts with the Gold Coast Football Club," McKenna said.
Riley said he was energized by the opportunity that presented itself with the Gold Coast SUNS.
I'm really looking forward to joining the Gold Coast SUNS and continuing my coaching career.“From afar I have been very impressed with the path the SUNS have taken. I can’t wait to get to know the coaches and players and to play a role in the continued progression of the Gold Coast SUNS.”
The West Australian commenced his AFL coaching career as a development coach with the Fremantle Dockers in 1995 and progressed to an assistant coach in 1998. In 2001, Riley returned to WAFL club Claremont for two seasons before heading east to join Melbourne’s coaching panel in 2003. During 2007, Riley replaced Neale Daniher as Melbourne’s senior coach for the final nine matches of the season. In 2008 he joined Carlton where he has spent the past five seasons.
McKenna said he believed Mathews, who takes on the role of development coach, will excel in the role working with the GC SUNS young brigade.
We were really impressed by Ben. He not only brings precious experience from the Swans, but his passion and drive for the game and developing young players was evident in our discussions, McKenna said.Mathews, who played 198 games for the Sydney Swans and was a member of the 2005 Premiership team, said he was looking forward to commencing his coaching career with the Gold Coast.
“I have seen quiet a bit of the SUNS over the past two years and I’m looking forward to starting my coaching journey with the club,” Mathews said.
Riley and Mathews are the latest additions to the clubs new look coaching and high performance team. They join Matthew Primus, High Performance Manager Stephen Schwerdt and Head of Fitness Paul Haines on the Gold Coast.
