The Gold Coast SUNS will remain a leader in the community when it comes to driver education and road safety after extending its partnership with Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

The SUNS and AFL Queensland first embarked on a partnership with TMR in 2021, prioritising support for the StreetSmarts road safety program while also working with the Department to encourage safe driver behaviour on Queensland roads.

Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Officer Mark Evans said the partnership was aligned to the club’s mission to make a genuine impact in the community.

"We know road trauma continues to be a major issue in Queensland and we want to play a key role in addressing this with our community,” Evans said.

"This partnership with TMR and AFL Queensland will give us the opportunity to raise road safety awareness and drive meaningful change amongst our members and fans to benefit the greater community.”

The SUNS will continue to promote road safety messaging to AFL fans, club members, corporate partners and the wider Gold Coast community via the club’s digital channels and at home games at Metricon Stadium.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the partnership is an important component in the quest to educate drivers and promote road safety.

"We made a great start in 2021 to raise the profile of road safety amongst AFL fans and participants and we want to build on this in 2022," Mr Bailey said.

"We all have a role to play in making our roads safer, and I applaud the commitment from the SUNS and AFLQ to take a leadership position in the important area of road safety.

“The StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup helps us reach the next generation of drivers to ensure they are safe drivers and passengers, and we have worked closely with the SUNS over the last 12 months to engage their fans and members with key road safety campaigns.

“We look forward to continuing this momentum as we work towards our long-term vision of zero deaths and injuries on Queensland roads."

Head of AFLQ, Trisha Squires, said the 2022 AFLQ Schools Cup competition was a great opportunity for the SUNS to help ‘coach’ the next generation to a safer future on our roads.

“We are so proud of our AFLQ Schools Cup – our premier state-wide schools competition and are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with StreetSmarts and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“The StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup is one of the largest schools competition in the country and 2022 will see more than 12,500 participants from Cairns to Byron Bay take part.

“We continue to grow the competition; more games this year will be live-streamed than ever before, our semi-finals will be held at the home of the Gold Coast SUNS - Metricon Stadium before the state finals are held at Maroochydore Multisport Complex in mid-October.”

Visit https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/ for more advice about staying safe on the road.