The Gold Coast Suns and Griffith University today announced a new and exciting partnership for the future.

One of Gold Coast’s most iconic institutions Griffith University will officially become the Research and Education partner of the Gold Coast’s AFL side and the Coast’s only national female sporting team, ahead of 2020.

GC SUNS CEO Mark Evans joined Griffith University Vice Chancellor & President, Professor Carolyn Evans to make the official announcement ahead of the club’s final home game of the 2019 AFL Premiership Season at Metricon Stadium.

“To be able to join forces with a Gold Coast institution to help drive our club, and specifically its football and community programs forward, is really exciting,” Evans said.

“Partnering with Griffith University will not only improve our staff and players, but provide their students with opportunities to learn and develop amongst a professional environment.

“It was impressive to see Griffith University’s community minded approach during the 2018 Commonwealth Games and we look forward to working with them to continue to help deliver great community outcomes for the Gold Coast.”

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans says Griffith is proud to become the Official Research and Education Partner of the Gold Coast SUNS, covering both the men’s and the new women’s team commencing in 2020.

“Our relationship will provide benefits for our students with internship opportunities as well as key research collaborations between Griffith’s academic staff and the SUNS.

“The partnership will further cement Griffith’s commitment as part of the Gold Coast community fabric, offering a range of education and training initiatives promoting greater inclusiveness and improved health and wellbeing outcomes”.

Associate Professor Clare Minahan, a leading Sports physiology and performance expert, says the partnership will benefit the SUNS and Griffith in the advancing field of sports science.

"Joint projects will give our researchers the opportunity to work with an elite sports team and contribute to real-world advances in the sports industry.

“It will also enable the men’s and womens’ teams to access our sport science expertise to help them improve their on-field performance and to develop their skills, fitness and best practice,” Associate Professor Minahan said.

Both GC SUNS and Griffith University stakeholders will have access to achieve remarkable things across a number of different research, sports science, internship and community initiatives.

The SUNS have worked closely with Griffith University since the side’s inception, and currently have 21 AFL players and two AFLW Players enrolled in various education programs. All are part of Griffith Sports College’s Elite Athlete Program, the number 1 rated program of its kind in Australia.

Up to 2000 Griffith University community members will also have the opportunity to attend this Saturday’s final game of the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season against the GWS Giants at 7.25pm.