The Gold Coast SUNS AFLW team will reach a significant milestone in their journey this weekend, playing their 50th game on Sunday against GWS.
The SUNS’ mission includes a dedication to growing and developing women’s football in Queensland, and this milestone is a celebration of progress and the club’s contribution to that cause since its AFLW inauguration in 2020.
The SUNS’ AFLW journey began in June 2017, with the club in collaboration with AFL Queensland, making their bid to join the AFLW competition. This step was a crucial moment in taking steps towards expanding women’s football in Queensland and across the AFL landscape.
In the following year, the SUNS competed in the inaugural AFLW Winter Series. The event marked a beginning point for the club which eventuated into a license into an expanded AFLW competition to begin in 2020.
The match this weekend will mark a full circle moment for the SUNS, who made their AFLW debut in the 2020 season with their first-ever game being against the GWS Giants.
Though the journey has not always been smooth sailing, coming off a winless season in 2020, the SUNS appointed Cameron Joyce as AFLW Head Coach in 2021, which would lead to positive moves forward for the club.
The SUNS made considerable steps each year under Joyce, improving year-on-year to most recently qualifying for its first home final after finishing in 5th position in the 2023 season.
The SUNS wouldn’t be in the position they are today without a number of key figures, including foundation players, Jamie Stanton and Lauren Bella, who have been with the club since its inception and remain to this day.
Stanton recently reflected on the significance of the club reaching 50 games, and how proud she was to be a part of this moment.
“I think it’s awesome, the club itself is obviously still building,” Stanton said.
“The fact that we’re such a young club, to have our women’s program building with the men’s program is fantastic. It’s just another chapter in the story.
“The growth has been massive; we’ve had a lot of growth in terms of our integration between the programs.”
“On the field what we are looking to do and the gameplan has come leaps and bounds just like women’s footy has.”
Stanton provided one of the key highlights of the SUNS journey when she delivered a career-best performance with six goals in her own 50th game last season – the second-most goals kicked in a single game in AFLW history.
Bella too has been a consistent dedicated player, competing in every AFLW game for the SUNS since its inception, making Sunday her 50th club game, becoming the first person to reach that landmark.
GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football and Queensland Football Hall of fame inductee Fiona Sessarago has been a driving force behind the team and club’s growth. She was the club’s first employee in the women’s program, and has led the program through its formative years and set the stage for future success.
Sessarago touched on the journey the club has embarked on and how important this milestone is for not only the sport but women’s football in Queensland.
“I look back on the club’s journey, and it’s clear that the challenges we have faced were just stepping stones towards our growth,” Sessarago said.
“This 50th game milestone is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of those who dared to dream.
“While we still strive to get better each day and continue to grow as a club alongside women’s football in Queensland, it’s an important opportunity to look back on how much progress we’ve made so far.
“The journey has been long, but it’s been exciting. Reaching 50 games as a club this year has made me realise just how far we have come since those first days in 2017.
The SUNS take on the Giants play at Manuka Oval in Canberra this Sunday. First bounce at 5:05pm and if you can’t make it to the game, catch all the action on Fox Footy, Kayo & the Seven network (check your local guides).
