StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate Lucy Single & Irish star Niamh McLaughlin will make history in 2025, today unveiled as Gold Coast SUNS co-captains for the upcoming AFLW season.
Burleigh Bombers product Single becomes the first graduate from the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy, male or female, to become a Gold Coast SUNS captain, also becoming the club’s first Queensland-born skipper.
Single has played 39 games for the SUNS since debuting in Round 1, 2021, graduating from the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy after being selected with Pick 57 in the 2020 AFLW Draft.
In just her third season of Aussie Rules, McLaughlin will also become the first Irishwoman to captain an AFLW side. The talented tri-code athlete, who has a wealth of experience leading her county Donegal in Gaelic Football, adds yet another accolade to a burgeoning sporting resume.
Gold Coast SUNS 2025 AFLW captains Lucy Single & Niamh McLaughlin. Photo: GC SUNS/Somha Sleeth
The 31-year-old has missed just the one match since making her AFLW debut two seasons ago, last year rounding out an incredible second season as Club Champion runner up.
The duo will lead a new-look SUNS leadership group which contains several new faces. Alongside the co-captains, 2025 Coach’s Award winner Meara Girvan moves into a leadership position for the first time in her AFLW career, while off-season recruit Lily Mithen has earned a leadership position for her first season in SUNS colours.
Returning leaders in defending Club Champion Charlie Rowbottom and Season Seven Players’ Player Georgia Clayden as well Jamie Stanton, who was previously a member of the SUNS leadership group for its first four seasons, round out the seven-player group.
The leadership group was selected by a process involving the Gold Coast SUNS playing group and endorsed by the coaching panel and club management.
Gold Coast SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity, and a history making one, for both Lucy and Niamh to have earned the right to captain the Gold Coast SUNS.
“Lucy has been a part of this club for almost 10 years now, both as a member of our Academy and a key part of our AFLW program since 2020.
Gold Coast SUNS 2025 AFLW leadership group. L-R: Georgia Clayden, Jamie Stanton, Niamh McLaughlin (captain), Lily Mithen, Lucy Single (captain), Charlie Rowbottom, Meara Girvan. Photo: GC SUNS/Somha Sleeth
“Her work ethic and desire to get the best of both herself and her teammates throughout her time in our program has been exemplary and we couldn’t be more proud of her getting the chance to lead her hometown club.
“Niamh’s experience and qualities as a leader have been evident since joining our club two seasons ago.
“Whilst juggling the challenge of playing at the elite level in a third sport, she is a driver of high standards within the club and someone her teammates look to for guidance.
“Alongside Lucy and Niamh, we’re thrilled for Meara and Lily to have earned their first official leadership positions with the SUNS. With the added experience of Jamie, Georgia and Charlie, it’s a well-balanced cohort that we believe can take our club to new heights as we embark on a fresh era.”
Tickets for 2025 AFLW home matches are on sale today. SUNS Members are now able to access through a members exclusive pre-sale before the general public can secure their seats from 2pm.
The SUNS will take on the Brisbane Lions next Friday in it’s first pre-season match simulation hitout.
The club’s AFLW campaign gets underway on Thursday, August 14 against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
