Why 2020 is a new era for Gold Coast sport: Footy kingpin
Suns supremo Mark Evans is confident of a new Gold Coast sporting era.
AFL
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SUNS supremo Mark Evans is confident the Gold Coast is destined for a new era on the national sporting stage thanks to the groundwork laid ahead of the club’s AFLW entry.
To outsiders the Glitter Strip owns the most unwanted tag in Aussie sport – the place where teams come to die – yet the vibe surrounding the Suns’ AFLW side is one of hope.
The squad contains fresh faces on the scene, a solid cultural base and, tellingly, a groundswell of fans confident they can challenge in the coming seasons.
Club CEO Evans said the hard work done off the field until this point could, as the team makes their debut against GWS in Sydney today, help shake old stigmas.
“Thanks to the hard work done by the local football clubs, AFL Gold Coast and the Suns we’ve been able to build a great footprint for the game on the Coast – it’s thriving,” he said.
“Our game is exciting for people of all ages and now we’re able to provide a pathway to the elite level for both male and female players.
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“We have got world class facilities to develop our local talent and our home, Metricon Stadium, has been rated as the best family venue in the country.
“I don’t want to speak about other teams and codes (and why some haven’t worked), but what I do know, is that since the club’s inception we have worked extremely hard within the community to help grow the game here on the Coast and it’s now going from strength to strength.
“The exciting part for us is, the introduction of our AFLW team provides us with an even bigger opportunity to help more people fall in love with our game.”
Evans predicted nothing but a significant upshot for women’s footy in the region.
“This group of girls will pave the way and inspire the next generation,” he said.
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