The Gold Coast SUNS have today passed the 15,000 membership milestone with a month still remaining before the membership window for 2020 closes. 

It comes after the club last week broke its all-time membership record, eclipsing the previous best of 14,131 members set in the club’s inaugural season. 

Melbourne-based AFL fan Jason Hill became the club’s 15,000th member, signing up to pledge his support to the SUNS and play a small part in growing the game in Queensland.

Hill said he’d been lured in by the SUNS’ eye-catching football, firstly by the performance of the club’s AFLW team and then again by the AFL side.

“I watched a lot of the SUNS AFLW team as they entered the league for the first time this year and it was great to see the way they didn’t play conservative football but really looked to try and take on the competition,” Hill said.

“Huge kudos to David Lake and the team for that which definitely piqued my interest more in the SUNS.

“Seeing the way the men’s team has taken on the young talent this year, while keeping their list together, and adding some experienced talent they now have become one of the most exciting teams in the league.

“They’re a must-watch each week from lockdown in Melbourne and it shows that a long-term vision and trust in the process works.” 

2020 has been an extremely difficult year to navigate, but Hill believes sport will continue to have an important role in people’s lives and encouraged others to show their support in any way possible. 

“Now more than ever the industry needs our support in not just getting behind our professional teams but also growing the game in states like Queensland which the SUNS are an incredibly important piece of,” he said.

“I’m sure that every sports fan has been incredibly thankful for the fact sport has managed to find a way to still exist in this difficult time.  If you can throw your support behind it at this time, it’ll be something you won’t regret as we navigate our way out of this.”