The Gold Coast SUNS has continued its endeavour to operate one of the premier football academies in the country after launching an Academy Hub Education Event at Metricon Stadium.

The event hosted 400 SUNS Academy players from across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers, who were engaged in a six-session program delivered in-person and online.

SUNS Academy members are sorted demographically into either a North Gold Coast, South Gold Coast or Northern Rivers hub.

Education topics included training workload, recovery, resilience, positive mental wellbeing, nutrition and growth and cultural awareness

To conclude the program, players and parents were invited to Metricon where they engaged in a range of sessions that supported the knowledge acquired throughout the program.

This included a Metricon Stadium tour, player Q&A, strength and conditioning warm up/skills session and a coach’s address.

This is the first time a program of this sort has ever been delivered. 

GC SUNS Academy Manager Kath Newman said the program aims to start the education process as players continue their journey with the SUNS.

“We have revamped our SUNS Academy programs over the last 12 months and are really proud of the strides we are making in providing our male and female players with the best possible environment to develop as people and footballers,” Newman said.

“We identified the need to provide more resources to our younger Academy players to better prepare them for what is required as they approach their late teenage years and are eligible to be drafted.

“These programs we have established have a big focus on education, so our players understand what is required at the elite level, but also can take these learnings back to local football, which in turn strengthens football in general on the Gold Coast.”

The SUNS Academy is currently competing in the NAB League this week while the Under 16 National Championships are also taking place at Metricon Stadium.