The Gold Coast SUNS last week proudly announced its record-breaking base of 19,460 Members in 2021.

It’s now our turn to highlight some of our most passionate and dedicated members who have shown outstanding support and commitment to the Gold Coast SUNS.

As part of our SUNS Festival of Members presented by Hostplus, 22 lucky members have been selected in the Gold Coast SUNS Member Team of the Year, which will officially be announced at 5pm Friday – stay tuned to our channels.

Members selected in the Member Team of the Year will be matched with a SUNS player for Sunday’s Round 22 fixture against Essendon as well as having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their name placed on their player’s guernsey for the match.

One of the lucky members to be selected is Ann Kemp, a foundation member whose dedication and support of the Gold Coast SUNS remains as strong and as passionate in 2021 as it did on the club’s very first day.

“I’ve supported the SUNS since the day it was announced we were to be the newest club,” Ann told SUNS Media.

“I can’t believe this has happened to me (being selected in the Member’s Team of the Year), it’s so exciting.”

Moving north to Queensland from her native Victoria with a family littered with passionate footy fans, Ann was over the moon at the announcement the Gold Coast would have its own AFL Club.

“When we heard the SUNS would be on the coast, it was like ‘yay, here we come!” Ann added.

“We still have the very first flag (from the SUNS) which had all the members’ places of birth – we’re on that and we wave those flags.

“I walk around on Game Day dressed in all my SUNS gear, whether the game is on the Gold Coast, or Perth, I’m still dressed.

“I’m actually putting in my will that I want to be buried in all my SUNS outfits and I want flags to line my coffin.”

As pictured above, the pair made their way to Shanghai in 2017 for the first ever AFL fixture to be played in China, returning with a pretty unique piece of merchandise.

“We actually have one of the big, long street flags from that game in China – we’re thinking we might donate it to the club as it really is a unique piece of merchandise.

“We walked around everywhere and got into all sorts of trouble with the Port Adelaide fans, but we still supported the boys.”

With her family heavily involved in junior and youth football across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers, as both players and coaches, it’s fair to say Ann’s passion for footy on the coast, and the SUNS, won’t be wavering any time soon.

“It’s all about the culture that the SUNS have brought to the Coast.

“We really have been totally dedicated to the SUNS.”