This is your chance to be part of the Gold Coast SUNS Academy, a supportive high-performing program that allows you to belong to the Gold Coast SUNS FC, grow as a person & achieve your potential.
Gold Coast SUNS Academy is proudly supported by StreetSmarts – a Queensland Government education platform where you can learn more about road safety and help make a difference to make our roads safer.
How do I get involved?
To represent the Gold Coast SUNS Academy you must live in the Academy’s designated zones.
See the map here - https://www.afl.com.au/draft/nga-clubacademies
These zones range from the following areas:
- Northern NSW (Evans Head to the Queensland Border)
- Gold Coast to Logan
- Gladstone to Cape York
- Darwin metropolitan
SUNS Academy Selection
SUNS Academy Program selection is highly competitive yet thorough process. Through a network of volunteers & staff, the SUNS Academy observe community football games, school programs, representative programs, Academy HUB training/games and other sports.
Through these observations along with Club feedback, team balance, injuries, AFLQ feedback, professional attitude, conduct, displaying Academy values, we make these tough decisions.
Additionally the SUNS Academy will host a range of trial events in our separate designated regions for players wishing to be involved in our HUB Programs. The 2024 Academy HUB Program is specific to players born between 2009-2011.
If you would like to participate in these trials, put your best foot forward and earn selection into the Academy HUB Programs please see the important information below and complete the appropriate registration form.
SUNS Academy Trial Events
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South East Queensland |
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Male |
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13 (2011) |
Tuesday |
16th Jan 2024 |
8:30am-11:00am |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2010) |
Tuesday |
16th Jan 2024 |
10:30am-1:00pm |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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15 (2009) |
Tuesday |
16th Jan 2024 |
12:30pm-3:00pm |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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South East Queensland |
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Female |
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13 (2011) |
Wednesday |
17th Jan 2024 |
8:30am-11:00am |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2010) |
Wednesday |
17th Jan 2024 |
10:30am-1:00pm |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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15 (2009) |
Wednesday |
17th Jan 2024 |
12:30pm-3:00pm |
Heritage Bank Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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Northern NSW |
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Male |
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13 (2011) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
8:30am-11:00am (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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14 (2010) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
8:30am-11:00am (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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15 (2009) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
8:30am-11:00am (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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Northern NSW |
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Female |
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13 (2011) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
10:30am-1:00pm (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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14 (2010) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
10:30am-1:00pm (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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15 (2009) |
Wednesday |
24th Jan 2024 |
10:30am-1:00pm (NSWDT) |
Pottsville Oval (TBC) |
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Capricornia |
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Male/Female |
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13-15 |
Thursday |
1st Feb 2024 |
5:00pm-6:30pm |
Kele Park (TBC) |
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Mackay |
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Male/Female |
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13-15 |
Friday |
2nd Feb 2024 |
5:00pm-6:30pm |
Harrup Park (TBC) |
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Townsville |
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Male/Female |
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13-15 |
Thursday |
1st Feb 2024 |
5:00pm-6:30pm |
Riverway Stadium (TBC) |
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Cairns |
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Male/Female |
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13-15 |
Thursday |
2nd Feb 2024 |
5:00pm-6:30pm |
Watsons Park (TBC) |
ALL players must complete the online registration form.
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c30606
FAQs
What do I need to bring to the trials?
Players MUST bring both football boots and runners, water bottle (2ltrs) and mouth guard. Apparel will be athletic/sports shorts, a training top and a hat.
Apparel MUST wear neutral athletic gear and not identify any community club or school involvement.
Players MUST also bring with them a notepad/pen and any medical needs (eg. puffer, epi pen, helmet).
Does it cost money to participate in the trials?
There is no cost involved with the trials
What areas will I be tested in?
Players will be tested and observed in football skill (execution under pressure) speed/endurance and football game sense.
What time does the session start/finish?
Please arrive 30mins prior to your designated start time.
Be prepared, be well hydrated, ensure you have adequate sleep and nutrition to perform at your best.
Sessions will run for approximately 1.5hrs.
How will squads be selected?
Most junior football clubs will have sent through lists of their most talented players.
Academy staff and volunteers have observed a number of junior football matches and collected data on a number of players.
Academy staff and volunteers will observe performances at the trials with the most talented players participating with the most talented players in the GC SUNS zone to collect further data.
Decisions will be made from a combination of all these areas above. Players will be selected on the individual traits which they display which are believed to be transferable to higher levels of Australian Football.
How many will be selected?
There are no set minimum and maximum limits to the squads. However, each squad will be different.
What if I cannot attend the trials?
Please still complete the registration form under the ‘absent’ section.
We may host a make-up trials session for those unable to attend the scheduled sessions. This will be communicated accordingly.
The Academy will research the data from matches observed to determine selection of some that miss the trial events.
What happens if I am NOT selected?
It’s important to note that players enter and exit the talent pathway at different stages. Development isn’t always linear and we know players this age develop at different rates, so it’s not uncommon for players to miss selection one season, only to earn selection again down the track. There is always the capacity to add to this squad throughout the year if a player’s form warrants.
If you have any further queries, please contact the Academy via academyinfo@goldcoastfc.com.au
