One of the Gold Coast SUNS' own, Zane Jackson, has been recognised for his work creating more diverse and inclusive opportunities within community football.

The SUNS Wheelchair assistant coach was recently named the 2026 Queensland AFL Diversity Ambassador of the Year.

“This was such an amazing honour and one I'm extremely proud of, definitely a football highlight for me,” Jackson said.

Jackson was recognised for his years of work helping make community football more inclusive, including through his local club, the Beenleigh Buffaloes, one of four AFL Queensland Multicultural Club Hubs.

The initiative focuses on helping clubs better connect with diverse communities and create more opportunities to get involved in football.

“I just want my club to better reflect the community around us,” Jackson continued.

“Similar to why I got into wheelchair footy, I want more people to play our great game, and I want that process to be as easy as possible for that to happen.”

That drive has followed Jackson throughout his time in sport, from his work at community level to joining the SUNS Wheelchair program in 2025.

The assistant coach believes his passion for growing the game aligns naturally with the SUNS, with both the club and wheelchair football continuing to grow and develop within the wider football landscape.

“The SUNS are still a young club in the AFL landscape, and that's part of what I like about them. It all feels fresh and full of personality. Wheelchair footy has that same energy,” Jackson said.

“I just want to grow the sport. More eyes on the game, more players participating, more awareness and coverage outside our currently niche little world.

“Getting that buy-in from the SUNS, helping us out, spreading the message of the game, and having QClash as a representative series is fantastic.”

In his second season with the Gold Coast SUNS, Jackson has helped coach the team to its first QClash series win since 2024 alongside head coach Emily Otto.

“Emily, who we all affectionately refer to as Otto, is the teacher and I'm the pupil,” Jackson said.

“I've coached junior and youth football before, but never seniors, so I take my SUNS role as an opportunity to learn.”

But Jackson’s vision for the future of the SUNS Wheelchair program goes beyond what happens on court.

“We're so fresh and so young, there's no history holding us back. We've got no precedents keeping us down,” he said.

“A big driver for me is not only boosting participation among our athletes, but also ensuring our athletes get the same experience I am.”

“I can see a future where some of these athletes move on from playing into coaching and off-field roles and really drive the programs themselves.”

He would love to see more players and teams involved, bigger crowds watching and, eventually, wheelchair matches become part of a wider SUNS game day.

“It's up to us to make it what it can be, and I think we've got the willpower to move it into big places,” he said.

Whatever role he plays in getting it there, Jackson is happy to be part of it.

“I'm just happy to be along for the ride until we get there.”