The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to confirm its four-player AFLW leadership group for the upcoming AFLW Season Eight.
Captain Tara Bohanna will lead the SUNS for the second consecutive season after being appointed ahead of Season Seven, during which the SUNS recorded its best AFLW win-loss record.
Bohanna will be deputised by vice-captains Bess Keaney, who has previously held leadership roles at the club, and a new addition to the leadership group in versatile tall Jac Dupuy.
Dupuy received the Season Seven Coach’s Award and has been an exemplar of professionalism both on and off the field during two seasons at the SUNS.
The four-person leadership group also includes another previous Coach’s Award winner in Claudia Whitfort. The 23-year-old, who has been part of the SUNS emerging leaders cohort, finished third in the club’s best and fairest count in Season Seven and earns her first official leadership position ahead of her third season on the Gold Coast.
The Season Eight leadership group was decided through an internal nomination process within the playing group, and strongly endorsed by the coaching staff and Board.
“We are extremely pleased with the make-up of our leadership group for the upcoming AFLW season,” GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said.
“Our captain Tara Bohanna led by example, both on and off the field, during her first season as captain and it’s fantastic to see her, as well as vice-captain Bess Keaney, receive the support of the players to lead the squad again in 2023.
“It’s also wonderful to introduce both Jac Dupuy and Claudia Whitfort to their first leadership positions at the club. Both players are now entering their third seasons at the SUNS and during that time have shown key leadership characteristics and earned the trust and support of not only their teammates, but coaches and staff as well.”
The SUNS returned for the official start of pre-season last week ahead of Round 1 which is scheduled for the first weekend in September.
Gold Coast SUNS AFLW Leadership Group
Tara Bohanna - Captain
Bess Keaney - Vice-captain
Jac Dupuy - Vice-captain
Claudia Whitfort
