Gold Coast Suns preparing to submit plans to the AFL to get academy back up and running

The Gold Coast Suns are preparing to submit plans to the AFL that could the lives of those connected to the club in 2020.

GOLD Coast are preparing to submit plans to the AFL that could instigate the resumption of the Suns talent academy.

The AFL has asked Gold Coast officials to create a proposal detailing what will be required to get the academy back up and running in a huge boost to junior talent and players hoping to be drafted in 2020.

Suns academy manager Jason Torney, academy head coach Andrew Raines and female academy head coach Sam Iles are working behind the scenes on the submission that will be presented to the club’s list manager Craig Cameron before going to the AFL.

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“Until recently, I thought (the return of the academy) was a long way off,” Suns CEO Mark Evans said.

“We are pretty keen to get good programs running for all of those kids in South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Northern Territory and North Queensland.

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“All of those programs have gone on hold and we are very conscious of getting them going again and making sure all of those kids can be supported in their development.

“My gut feel is now that we are loosening up as a country, they need to work out how they showcase the kids with a chance of being drafted between now and the end of October.

“I think they will announce soon there will be a nab league program in Victoria and therefore the other states have to do their bit around the same time.

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“There will then probably be some national carnival in a shortened format in September or October.”

Currently, the AFL has stipulated clubs can only have 25 staff connected to the players and Evans said the club had been given no indication that would change before the end of the year, outside of those in the academy.

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