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Australia’s most exciting and innovative airline Virgin Blue has joined Australia’s most exciting sporting club the Gold Coast SUNS.

Virgin Blue will join industry superannuation fund HOSTPLUS as a foundation partner and feature on the club’s playing jumpers.

Virgin Blue will also feature at the new Gold Coast Stadium with naming rights to one of the stadium's large corporate facilities – the Lounge – which will cater for 900 corporate guests on match day.

Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Officer Travis Auld said the partnership is a perfect match for the Gold Coast SUNS and the local Gold Coast community.

“This is much more than a sponsorship of a football club. The Gold Coast is Australia’s favourite tourism destination and the Gold Coast SUNS reflect everything that makes this such a great place to live, visit and play.

“Virgin Blue is a strong supporter of the Gold Coast and sees the value in supporting the AFL’s newest club and the benefits it will bring to the region in tourism, fan travel and related economic benefits.

“As a Queensland based organisation Virgin Blue aligns closely with the values of the Gold Coast SUNS. With Host Plus and Virgin Blue as foundation partners the Gold Coast SUNS have the backing of two of the most bold, innovative and progressive brands in Australia.

“We look forward to thousands of passionate fans flying in to the Gold Coast with Virgin Blue to watch their team play the Gold Coast SUNS - and introducing our new partner to our members and fans.

“Our players also look forward to travelling Virgin Blue when we travel interstate to represent our city.”

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines’ General Manager Sales, Justin Montgomery, said that Virgin Blue was a new player on the Coast nine years ago and that it seemed a natural fit for the airline to get behind the newest team in town.

“We’ve already formed a close relationship with the Gold Coast SUNS and see great synergies in our brands. We are both innovative, highly-professional and totally committed to supporting the Gold Coast community.”

“As a strong supporter of local tourism, the Group has increased capacity into the Gold Coast by 14 per cent during the past 12 months. We are confident this partnership will help further grow visitor numbers from the AFL fan base.”

Virgin Blue will feature on the back of the Gold Coast SUNS home jumper and on the front of the clash and away jumpers.