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Gold Coast SUNS first journey away from home as an AFL club today was an extra special one thanks to Foundation Partner, Virgin Blue.
Australia’s most innovative and exciting airline has ensured the club travelled in style ahead of its NAB Cup debut by supplying a custom-designed GC SUNS plane.
The plane, which now sports 200 square metres of GC SUNS-themed colours and logos, took five days to digitally print and cut before being installed by five hand-picked specialists over three days.
GC SUNS CEO Travis Auld said the club was delighted to be so closely aligned with Virgin Blue.
“We are extremely grateful for Virgin Blue’s support. Not only will they get us where we need to go right across the country in comfort, but they now ensure that our first ever footballing road trip will be a real celebration. It’s a great way to mark a genuinely historic moment.”
“Virgin Blue has really embraced our relationship and also the excitement of our club’s introduction to the AFL competition. To go to these lengths really says a lot about what vibrant and enthusiastic company it is. We are a really good match in that regard, I think.”
Virgin Blue Group Executive Liz Savage said Virgin Blue was very proud to partner with the GC SUNS and the branded plane was a flying symbol of strong support for the team.
“We wish the GC SUNS all the very best for their first ever match and want them to know that Virgin Blue and the Queensland community are right behind them for this important day.
“As the new official airline of the AFL we recently also launched another 737 aircraft that proudly displays the AFL brand and the logos of each AFL club.
"This is just one of the many ways that we will support the Gold Coast SUNS and the AFL through our new partnership and we look forward to continuing to provide the AFL with great service on our extensive network."
GC SUNS Senior Coach Guy McKenna said Virgin Blue’s initiative had added to a real sense of excitement that was permeating the club at a hugely important moment in its short life.
“Our entire club has worked together with great discipline and energy for a long time now. It’s fantastic for us that our corporate supporters recognise the enormity of our mission and go the extra yard to make a real occasion of our arrival as an AFL club.”
“We’re taking our first steps now. We’ve arrived. We’re looking forward to giving absolutely everything for the people who’ve given us such generous support.”
With fellow club leaders Nathan Bock and Gary Ablett rested this week, Campbell Brown said he was deeply honoured to take the reins.
“The chance to lead was one of the most powerful motivating forces behind my decision to join the club.
“This is a big occasion for our squad. It may only be the preseason competition, but we’ve worked incredibly hard to earn the right to compete at this level. The boys are really excited and itching to get into it. We’ll be pretty fired up on the night, I reckon. I know I can’t wait.”
The club comes up against the Sydney Swans and GWS in its Round One NAB Cup.
The match starts at 7.15pm when the Sydney Swans tackle GWS.
The Gold Coast SUNS will take to the field at 8.20pm against Sydney Swans before taking on GWS in the final leg of a triple-header.
The match will be telecast live on FoxSports 1 from 7.00pm.
