Just over 2,000 people turned out in the city’s northern region to celebrate Upper Coomera’s Community Centre’s first milestone.

It was a day of fun for families and local passers-by at the recreational centre, with the event attracting plenty of interest from Gold Coast community groups, sporting organisations and local councillors, including Deputy Mayor Donna Gates.

With the northern growth corridor (NGC) marking a key area of corporate social responsibility for the Gold Coast SUNS, the club holds an active stake in the rapidly expanding region.

Through the Gold Coast SUNS HORIZONS program, the city’s AFL team has proudly donated almost $8,000 back into the Coomera-Logan district, providing valuable support and service to the club’s three nominated charities: the Studio Village Community Centre; Oxenford and Coomera Community Centre; and FSG (Coomera).

GC SUNS key forward and NGC ambassador, Charlie Dixon, welcomed the occasion, having had an involvement at grass roots footy in the area, through the Coomera Magpies and Ormeau Bulldogs.

“As club ambassador for NGC I am passionate about supporting these local families, raising awareness of the social responsibilities challenging the Gold Coast and building connections with our charities,” Dixon said.

“The GC SUNS are also very committed to developing young boys and girls into up-and-coming footballers and commit time to support grass roots football all over the Gold Coast, including our two most northern clubs, Coomera Magpies and Ormeau Bulldogs.”

GC SUNS Community Programs Manager, Corey Bell, said the club remained committed to providing ongoing assistance to its key community partners.

“The event is one of the biggest of its kind in the North Gold Coast region and will be supported by the club through its HORIZONS partnership with the City of Gold Coast, Rotary District 9640 and our three charities based in the North Gold Coast region.”