The Gold Coast SUNS congratulates GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago on her induction into the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.

Sessarago has been a key figure throughout the Gold Coast SUNS’ entire AFLW journey, playing a leading role in the club’s bid for a license in 2018 before being appointed as the first employee in the SUNS AFLW program.

A pioneer of women’s football in Queensland, Sessarago was the first full-time development officer in Australia when she joined the AFL Queensland team in 2001.

Since then, she has made an indelible mark on football in Queensland. A playing career that included representing her State in 2003 and a coaching stint with South East Queensland Flames and the Gold Coast Sunsets correlated with numerous development roles off-field.

Her positions included AFL Queensland Participation Program Officer before stepping up to Participation and Fan Development Manager in 2010, later taking on roles as AFL National Auskick Manager in 2012 and Gold Coast Regional Manager in 2016.

Sessarago was a key driver behind the SUNS successful bid for an AFLW license, also overseeing the appointment of the club’s inaugural coach David Lake and the first player signing in Jamie Stanton.

“On behalf of the Gold Coast SUNS, we would like to congratulate Fiona on her induction into the Queensland Football Hall of Fame,” GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans said.

“Few people have had more impact on the development and growth of Women’s Football in Queensland than Fiona who was also fundamental in the evolution and the continued growth of our AFL Women’s program.”