To our valued members, supporters and partners,
Change is one of the great certainties in life and, like every organisation, the Gold Coast SUNS are facing a rapidly evolving environment to try and manage the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Some of the changes will be hard for our loyal fans and partners because footy is such a great part of life and the start of the 2020 AFL season will be different this year.
But what we do know is that action is required which includes the AFL’s strong decision – based on medical advice – that no fans will be permitted to attend AFL and AFLW matches for the foreseeable future.
That decision - whilst the right call - will be disappointing for our fans and our business partners but there will still be plenty to enjoy and share together throughout the season.
It will be different for the players and staff too and a number of young men and women will make their AFLW and AFL debut in front of an empty ground. We will make sure we recognise and celebrate these debuts with our fans through our media and digital coverage.
The SUNS have also taken strong action to contain the virus including closing our Austworld Centre facility to the public (including administration and our shop), however, our membership and customer service team will be available by phone from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and you can reach the club via email on gcmembership@goldcoastfc.com.au. All administration staff are now working remotely and the AFL and AFLW programs will be separated.
Again, while less than ideal, these decisions have been based on medical advice to reduce the spread of this virus and ensure the health of the Gold Coast community, our staff and our 82 players.
These safety measures will also help ensure that AFL and AFLW games can continue to be played and that those games will still be broadcast on TV, radio and online for our fans to enjoy and to support our partners.
We know that some people will have questions regarding their 2020 memberships and corporate hospitality packages. We are working through a unique and ever-evolving situation and we ask for your patience while we determine our next course of action, which we will communicate.
Your support of the club is so important - without your support we would cease to exist. We truly appreciate our members and supporters and thank-you for your understanding during this time.
Information for ticket holders, including corporate hospitality clients, will be announced once more details about the 2020 season are known.
We will provide regular updates online and in media and encourage our members and fans to watch our AFLW and AFL matches on the Seven Network, Foxtel, the AFL App with thanks to Telstra, and through radio broadcast partners.
Clearly, this is a highly unusual start to the season - and there will be many twists and turns – but our attitude is ‘Challenge Accepted’.
I promise we will put your health and safety first through our efforts to manage the spread of COVID-19 and that we will stay in touch.
Please look after yourself, your family and friends.
- Mark Evans
*For up to date information on the COVID-19 virus and health advice, please visit the Australian Federal Government Department of Health page here.
