Wayne Campbell has informed the club he will depart his position as General Manager of Football Performance at the conclusion of the 2025 AFL season.

Campbell departs the SUNS following four seasons in the position in which he has overseen significant and consistent growth in the club’s football program, most recently steering the SUNS to an inaugural AFL Finals campaign.

Campbell will return to Sydney to explore new opportunities with his family.

“I have absolutely loved my time at the Gold Coast SUNS. To see a club mature the way it has and play a role in that is something I’m incredibly proud of – the feeling after the Elimination Final win against Fremantle is why we love the game so much,” Campbell said.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club, but in particular Bob East, Mark Evans, Craig Cameron and Damien Hardwick. Thank you so much for all your support and making the club a great place to work. The sense of fun and drive to get better has created an environment that gets the best out of our people.

“It was an incredibly hard decision to make, given my passion for my role and this club. However, the pull of a role closer to my family won out.

“I will always be grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by the Gold Coast SUNS.”

During his tenure since joining the club in September 2021, the SUNS have achieved three club-best win-loss records, also welcoming ten StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products to its AFL list and awarding AFL debuts to 17 players.

Gold Coast SUNS CEO Mark Evans thanked Campbell for his work in leading the club’s football program to new heights in recent seasons, and laying the foundations for further success in the years ahead.

“Throughout the past four seasons, Wayne has been instrumental in developing a high-performance environment that has provided opportunities for both players and staff to develop and thrive, and produced unprecedented on-field results for our club,” Evans said.

“His leadership within our football department and hunger for success has seen our club take big strides forward each season and I would like to personally thank him for his contributions in re-shaping the narrative around the Gold Coast SUNS.

“Family first is paramount at our club and the chance for Wayne to be closer to his wife Sarah, and daughters Cate and Molly is too important an opportunity to turn down.

“We would like to thank Wayne and his family for everything they have given to our club and wish them all the best in what comes next.”

The club will begin the process of fulfilling the role ahead of the commencement of pre-season training in November.