PURPOSE:

Deliver supportive and high performing programs across the Gold Coast SUNS Academy zone that allow everyone involved to feel a sense of BELONGING to our club, GROW as people and ACHIEVE their full potential.

VISION:

The Gold Coast SUNS Academy is the best youth academy in the country in IDENTIFYING, DEVELOPING and SUPPORTING talented players, coaches and staff. By building on the past and embracing the present we will leave a legacy for those to follow.

VALUES:

Our aim is to increase the number of skilled Australian football players and coaches in QLD, to grow the national talent pool and as a result increase the level of standard in QLD football competitions.

The StreetSmarts SUNS Academy Program was established in 2011 and provides a high-level junior development program that plays a leading role in building and maintaining a strong AFL culture.

Our programs include up to 1200 male and female players aged from 12 to 19. With Academy has over 80 coaches, conditioning staff and support staff who deliver programs at TEN locations in QLD including SUNS HQ (Carrara), Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bowen, Gladstone, Coomera, Robina, Pottsville (NSW).

WHAT WE ARE:

Player & Team Identity

Gold Coast Suns Academy teams play a brand of football that allows all individuals to showcase their unique talents within a clearly defined framework centred around the different phases of the game.

During games and training, Gold Coast Suns Academy teams & players aim to consistently emphasise and demonstrate the following key principles and characteristics.

• Fundamental Detail
• Decision Making
• Discipline
• Competitiveness
• Creativity
• Enthusiasm
• Team First
  
  

Individual Development

The Gold Coast Suns Academy actively encourage our players to ‘EXPLORE & DISCOVER’ as a way of creating and developing their football capability within a structured program. We see our coaches priority as developing the individual players first, taking a WHOLISTIC approach to their journey.

We continually challenge our players TECHNICAL and TACTICAL capability in a fast-paced team environment. The ultimate goal for the Academy is to develop smart, creative, resilient and high performing players driven by their want to be the best player they can possibly be.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED (PLAYERS)

To represent the Gold Coast SUNS Academy a player 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 Torres Strait

 

SELECTION

Players are selected through various ways including open assessment trials, talent ID recommendations and sporting performances across the season.

Squads are larger in the younger age groups then become more streamlined in the older age groups, as players who show genuine AFL/W attributes and are genuine prospects for high levels of football.

The initial selection process will be made on any of the below:

• Representative performances i.e. Gold Coast Regional, Queensland, U15 & U12 (School programs)
• Club performances in own age group or above (ALL SEQJ & NQ divisions)
• Professional Attitude/Conduct at Club, Academy, School and Representative level
• Commitment to Academy Values
• AFLQ/Club recommendations
• Performances in other sporting programs
  
  

The Academy curriculum emphasises personal development as well as sporting development. A curriculum progression based on the CAPABILITY of each age group at any stage that best EDUCATES and PREPARES our players for the next stage of their footballing journey.

The Academy program is made up of SIX parts:

 

Development	12s Skills Program	Activate
	13-15 HUB Program	Discover
Talent	13-15 Emerging Talent Program	Develop
	16s National Talent Program	Prepare
	18s Elite Program	Perform
Elite	18s Excel Program	Excel

 

12s Skills Program
WHO	Players born 2014
WHEN	4 weeks – March
WHEN	Sunday Mornings
WHERE	Austworld Centre (Carrara)
Encourage participation & connection to the GC SUNS Football Club. Beginning of the talent ID process. Focus on fundamental skill development

 

GC HUB Programs
WHO	Players born 2011-2013
WHEN	6 weeks
WHEN	Sunday Mornings
WHERE	Regional HUB Venues. (Coomera, Robina, Pottsville)
The training is the first phase of wholistic development approach. Focussing on fundamental skill development & basic play, progression of technical & tactical development and introduction to professional standards.

 

NQ HUB Programs
WHO	Players born 2011-2013
WHEN	6-8 weeks
WHEN	Mornings or Afternoons (region specific)
WHERE	NQ HUB Venues. (Cairns, Townsville, Bowen, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone)
The training is the first phase of wholistic development approach. Focussing on fundamental skill development & basic play, progression of technical & tactical development and introduction to professional standards.

 

Emerging Talent Squad Programs ETS
WHO	Players born 2011-2013
WHEN	10 weeks
WHEN	1-2 sessions per week (weeknights)
WHERE	Austworld Centre (Carrara)
Next phase of wholistic development approach. Advanced concepts & execution, introduction to conditioning and wellness.

 

16s National Programs
WHO	Players born 2010-2011
WHEN	Boys: Jan-Jul Girls: Nov-Apr
WHEN	Twice per week (weeknights)
WHERE	Austworld Centre (Carrara)
Competition, positional specifics, situational & scenario education. Game plan and individual development plan (IDP) introduction.

 

18s Elite Programs
WHO	Players born 2008-2010
WHEN	Boys & Girls Nov-Jun
WHEN	Three sessions per week
WHERE	Austworld Centre (Carrara)
Wholistic program, centred around exposing individuals to the rigours of being a professional footballer. Performance & execution under pressure, structure, game plan execution, IDP and positional specialisation.

 

*over-age players must meet following criteria:

• Access to Academy programs have been limited
• Player has experienced a long-term injury
• Player is considered a developing-tall
• Players has transferred from another sport’s pathway program
• Player has had genuine AFL recruitment interest

 

The Academy’s Talent ID network will observe, assess and report on nearly every junior footballer in SEQ with a recommendation of:

1. Selection into an Academy Program
2. Non-Selection into an Academy Program
3. Invitation to Trial for an Academy Program

Meaning ALL programs 13+ are strictly INVITE-ONLY. You will either be invited to a program or invited to trial for a program.

*12s (2014) will be open registration. Details TBC.

To express interest in a SUNS Academy Program, fill out the PlayHQ link below. This will allow us to:

• Check any of your scouting notes we have already observed
• Ensure your football is researched/observed in the near future
• Determine weather an invite, non-invite or trial is warranted
   

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST -  PLAYERS LINK

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c03b47

Trials

• 18s Programs: Pre-season trials Nov/Dec (invite only)
• 16s Programs: Pre-season trials Dec-Feb (invite only)
• 14-15 HUBs: Mid-late Jan (invite only OR open trial for new players to Academy)
• 13s HUBs: Mid-late Jan (Open trials for new players to Academy)

Note: Players can be added to the programs at any stage of the year

 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We live outside the SUNS Academy catchment zone. Can I still trial?

You can't be accepted into our formal program as AFL rules prohibit us including players outside our designated Academy zone.

We live outside the SUNS zone but are moving next year and will then reside in the SUNS zone. Can I trial now?

We are happy for you to register and attend our trials.  However, you can't be accepted into our formal program until you actually reside in the SUNS zone, as the AFL rules prohibit us including players outside our designated Academy area.

I have little or no experience playing junior AFL. Can I still trial?

Yes, you can. We don't require any AFL experience. We are looking for talented athletes who have a strong interest in the sport and display attributes we consider important.

If I'm selected for the Academy, what is the annual cost?

The annual cost varies on each specific program and age group. More details TBA.

I am injured or away during the trial period, what can I do?

Complete the player expression of interest link above to allow our staff to follow up.

How do I get involved as a coach or volunteer?

Complete the coaching expression of interest link below to allow our staff to follow up.

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/fbf120