When GCFC memberships first went on sale late last year, AFLQ School Development Officer Sarah Hopkins was one of the first on board.

An ex-pat Tasmanian and a keen Bombers fan, Hopkins says football is in her blood.

‘Some of my earliest memories are of when Dad used to take me to watch North Hobart play and we always used to go and watch the Saints when they played the odd home game down our way.’

Hopkins, whose early interest in the club saw her on hand to sound the siren at GCFC’s ‘Rise Up’ membership campaign launch last week, says there’s plenty of Gold Coasters itching to see their local AFL team up and running.

‘I’ve already convinced four or five of my friends to join up [as members]. It wasn’t hard. Having our own team on the Gold Coast is pretty exciting.’

‘There’s so many people who’ve moved to the Gold Coast from other [AFL dominant] states. It’ll be massive.’

She believes the broad community appeal of AFL will be a perfect match for a place like the Gold Coast.

‘The Gold Coast is very much a place for families and there’s a really strong sense of community here. Old, young, male, female. From an AFL spectator’s point of view, it doesn’t really matter. The passion for the game is the main thing. And the speed and skill of live AFL is just so addictive.’

She says she’s looking forward to rekindling her childhood memories by watching GCFC take it’s next step towards inclusion in the 2011 AFL Premiership when it takes part in this year’s VFL competition. GCFC will play its home games at suburban grounds in Broadbeach, Southport and Labrador while redevelopment works continue at GCFC’s Carrara headquarters.

‘I’ll definitely get down to the VFL games this year. Get my weekly fix!’

For information on Gold Coast FC Membership and to purchase, click here.