Future Gold Coast: Sport the ‘vital indicator’ for healthy city

Sport is the ‘vital indicator’ for a healthy city, writes Sports Gold Coast chairman Geoff Smith. Which is why these are the investments and visions the Glitter Strip should be focusing on in each code.

In the words of the late Senator Robert Kennedy: “The future is not a gift but an achievement handed to each generation.”

With an expected population approaching a million by 2030 the Gold Coast must decide today what it wants to be as a metropolis in the future if it wants to maintain its unique lifestyle and standard of living.

This will require strong and smart leadership by:

 Understanding our city’s history and in particular acknowledging our failures which are outweighed by our extraordinary successes especially in women’s sport. Progress can only be made by learning from our past mistakes not sweeping them to the side or making excuses;

 Building corporate structures that can action or encourage the delivery of the outcomes with accountability.

Sport Gold Coast Director Trina Hockley, chairman Geoff Smith, and director Garry Goodman. Picture Glenn Hampson

Sport is a vital indicator of the health, unity, wellbeing and happiness for any city.

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By 2030 through courage, creativity and strong leadership the Gold Coast should be internationally renowned as a destination for sports and events with a strong vibrant and optimistic culture promoted through sport.

Sport will help deliver our city identity and create a sense of purpose and pride in what it means to be a “Gold Coaster”. It will open up opportunities for us to be a bridge between Europe and Asia.

This will be reflected in the City’s support for its national teams present and in the future in football, rugby league, Australian Rules, rugby, netball, basketball and Esports together with our individual world champion athletes.

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NPL football (soccer) semi final between Gold Coast Knights and Peninsula Power at the Croatian Sports Centre. Pic Mike Batterham

Our national teams should be underpinned by strong tribal community support through local and state teams representing the northern and southern Gold Coast supported by our universities and businesses seeking to promote their respective brands in either geographic area.

Teams participating in the structure will be encouraged to embrace proper and strong corporate governance and the necessity of sharing infrastructure across the various sports in particular playing fields.

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The Gold Coast should have at least four boutique stadiums by 2030 capable of comfortably seating 5000 to 8000 people located at either Border or Goodwin Parks at Coolangatta, Robina, Southport and Coomera.

There should be also be a world-class Centre of Excellence for football attracting northern hemisphere international teams for off-season training and exhibition games. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

There should be also be a world-class Centre of Excellence for football attracting northern hemisphere international teams for off-season training and exhibition games.

Dubai and Qatar have spent billions on infrastructure to achieve this whereas the Gold Coast and its magnificent natural resources and facilities could be much more successful with a fraction of the cost.

This infrastructure would also be the product of South East Queensland hosting the Women’s World Cup in Football and the Olympic Games and a range of other international sporting events.

These facilities would be constructed through funding through the corporate community. The boutique arenas would be used during the week for commercial purposes and also serve as venues for Esport and entertainment events.

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Maaloga Konelio of Brisbane scores a try during the round 2 NRC match between Brisbane City and Sydney at Bond University on September 08, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Gold Coast’s reputation for creativity, innovation and its “have a go “attitude would be further enhanced by:

 Collaboration between our universities, Innovation Hubs and national teams to produce unique training processes, styles, tactics and attitude;

 Spectators will want to attend games in which Gold Coast teams are participating because of their unpredictability and entertainment;

 holding world-renowned international events such as Drone and Formula E racing and Esports championships.

The capacity of Metricon Stadium should increase in 10 years to cater for the growing crowds attracted by not only the Suns being one of the most successful teams in the AFL but to cater for the Gold Coast’s Big Bash cricket team and regular international cricket Tests and tournaments.

The Gold Coast Sports Precinct including Metricon Stadium and the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, at Carrara.

Cbus Super Stadium would also need to be expanded to cater for the equally successful Titans as well as regular rugby Tests and sevens tournaments plus A and W league Football.

The beautiful Broadwater and super yacht facilities will attract the most expensive yachts in the world with at least one major super yacht and /or catamaran racing championship per year.

Southport Yacht Club should be aspiring for the Americas Cup with the support of the corporate, government and education sectors and including a possible new prestigious trophy the Titanic Cup introduced by one of Gold Coast’s flamboyant billionaires for super yacht raising. Aquatic events will be viewed from Southport’s boutique stadium with the backdrop of Surfers Paradise.

The Gold Coast Marathon will be classed in the top three on the planet and there will be either an international cycling classic through our unique hinterland and mountain bike riding championships.

The Gold Coast’s resurgence in national sports will be driven through focusing on women’s national teams particular in the W league Football, basketball and netball.

Our national basketball team will be aligned with a Chinese club with shared home games on the Gold Coast and Beijing. Our two state netball teams will each be aligned with the Suns and Titans as well as our universities which will have a vital influence on the way sport is promoted and developed.

Cynics questioning the likelihood of the above aspirations or predictions need to consider the likely response given 20 years ago to the prediction that within 20 years the Gold Coast would not only be home to two national teams and two world class stadiums but also the host to a Commonwealth Games.

Our city has the resources, infrastructure and climate to be world-renowned in sport now and does not have to wait 10 years. We need to step up and grab the opportunity with both hands as mentioned above through strong, smart leadership through accountable corporate structures.