The chairman of the Gold Coast SUNS John Witheriff and inaugural senior coach Guy McKenna have agreed the time has come to part company.
McKenna and Witheriff have mutually and respectfully agreed to go their separate ways.
"Guy was naturally disappointed but, as he has done since being appointed in August 2008, he put the interests of the club and our future ambitions first," Witheriff said.
Mr Witheriff paid tribute to McKenna's influential role in establishing the Gold Coast SUNS.
"Guy is a man with tremendous values and he will leave us knowing his legacy is our club’s promising future.
"He has been paramount in installing our club’s values - Bold, Fresh, Relentless, Community and Dependable. Those values are the guiding principles which our people live by every day.
“The fact that the Gold Coast SUNS are now respected by our rivals in the AFL is due in no small part to the contribution Guy has made as our first senior coach,” Witheriff said.
McKenna admitted that while he would have preferred to continue as senior coach, he is proud that he leaves with the club in a strong position.
“It has been a privilege to have coached the Gold Coast SUNS and I know the success the club aspires to achieve is not too far away.
“The club has every right to pursue a direction it believes will give it the best chance of continued improvement. Although I leave with a heavy heart, I am content that I have helped develop a unique group of players.
“I leave with some great memories and strong friendships and I know they will remain despite my early departure,” McKenna said.
Mr Witheriff said the club will now take the steps needed to continue to build success and reaffirmed the club’s strong position on and off the field.
“We should be very proud of the club we have built so far. This year has seen growth in membership, sponsorship and crowds, while a very bright future beckons on field.”
