GC SUNS players manned the various skills stations, spending much of their afternoon high-fiving the efforts of their young fans and preaching the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Experienced defender Matthew Warnock, along with David Swallow and Luke Russell, were huge hits amongst the young crop of talent, all of who seemed to hang off to every word given by the AFL veteran.
Towering ruckman Zac Smith and fearless backman Seb Tape led their group through a series of tough training drills, designed to test their student’s defensive skills under game-style pressure.
Smith, who graduated through the AFL Queensland talent program, was impressed with the level of skills that was on display around the ground.
The 205cm giant, who starred for Queensland’s U18 Country Kookaburra’s squad, was more than happy to lend his time to the hundreds of red-and-yellow fans that turned up in force yesterday afternoon.
“It means the world to some of these kids to see some of their football heroes up close and personal,” said Smith.
“It’s great to be able to come through here today and teach some of these younger kids the basic skills of the game.”
The U16 Northern and Southern Gold Coast Stingray also gained valuable mentoring advice, with GC SUNS Jared Brennan, Jarrod Harbrow, Charlie Dixon and fan favourite Karmichael Hunt running different training blocks.
AFL Queensland Regional Manager – Richie Lyons, told goldcoastfc.com.au that GC SUNS partnership through the Stingrays Summer Training Program would help strengthen grassroots football across the Gold Coast community.
“The program provides all attendees with a fun and safe environment to develop the game’s basic skills, which can be a great platform for those wishing to advance further into junior footy,” Lyons said.
“Seeing boys like Karmichael (Hunt), Charlie (Dixon) and Zac (Smith) taking time out from their busy pre-season training programs to head down here today is just fantastic.”
“They’re definitely a major reason as to why the event has been such a huge success.”
