The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to announce the appointment of Tara Bohanna as the club’s new AFLW Captain.
The appointment, which was reached through an internal nomination process within the playing group, and strongly endorsed by the coaching staff and Board, sees Bohanna become the club’s fourth AFLW captain.
The 27-year-old quickly earned the respect of her peers in her first season at the SUNS earlier in 2022 and says she’s honoured to accept the role.
“It’s a massive privilege to be able to lead this football team. Especially to have been voted in by my peers and the coaches and seen in the way to captain such a great group, it really is an honour,” Bohanna said.
“It’s an exciting group we have here at the SUNS and we’re building really nicely with just a few weeks to go until Round 1. We just can’t wait to get started and I’m really proud of this opportunity.”
Bohanna led the SUNS goalkicking last campaign to go with a top-five finish in the AFLW Club Champion race whilst also impressing with her off-field contribution.
“In just under 12 months, the impact that Tara has had on the team, the club and her teammates has been remarkable,” SUNS AFLW Head Coach Cameron Joyce said.
“She has a great ability to connect to both our young players as well as her more-experienced teammates. What she does on the field and in her preparation shows she wants to be the best player she can be, and get that same outcome for her teammates.”
Bohanna will be deputised by vice-captains Bess Keaney and Jamie Stanton, who have both previously held leadership roles at the SUNS, with Ellie Hampson elevated into a four-person leadership group for the upcoming AFLW season.
“Off the back of a really good first AFLW season, this appointment (for Tara Bohanna) is a credit to her and she will be supported by a strong leadership group, as well as the rest of the squad, the coaches and staff,” Joyce said.
The SUNS continue preparations this Saturday with its official Pre-season fixture against Geelong at the Austworld Centre Oval before an opening round clash against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday, 27 August.
