Speaking exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au for his annual mid-season report, Auld said the team’s encouraging win-loss record of 5-7 showed genuine signs of improvement were taking place at Metricon Stadium after tallying just three wins in consecutive seasons.
“To have five wins so far and to come within a kick against Brisbane, but to then compete against Hawthorn and Geelong for three quarters demonstrates that we have a list built to win,” said Auld.
“It’s been a really pleasing first half of the year, and on-field we really wanted to demonstrate this year improvement to our fans, to the competition and also for the players to get some belief that we are heading in the right direction.”
“I think we have done that so far.”
Although emerging stars Dion Prestia, Zac Smith, Charlie Dixon, Rory Thompson and elite teenager Jack Martin all put pen to paper as part of the major player signings that took place in the first-half of the season, the club has also enjoyed several marquee signings away from the football field.
Three-time Tour De France green jersey winner Robbie McEwen and his Gold Coast Festival of Cycling will bring it’s weekend of activities to Metricon Stadium, while the iconic Big Day Out music festival will also remain on the Gold Coast after the event organisers and the club announced the stadium precinct would be the host venue for city’s leg of the national tour for the next five years.
“Big Day Out is an important strategic priority for us because it generates revenue for the stadium and therefore the football club, which allows us to keep investing in our community programs,” said Auld.
Auld said the music festival would open the doors to new revenue opportunities.
“It’s important because it brings a new market to our stadium precinct,” he said.
“You get 40,000 – 50,000 patrons coming to the Big Day Out, and quite a few will never have come to the stadium before.
“They will come and realise how fabulous the stadium is, then they might come back for a SUNS game which forms part of our broader strategy.”
But despite so many exciting off-field projects taking place at the Gold Coast SUNS this year, the chief executive said the club would not take a backwards step around its tireless work in the community.
“Community is one of our values and it’s such an important part in who we are as a football club,” Auld said.
“We’ve had the inaugural Homeless Sleep Out and continue to work with our SHINE Programs which are really important programs because they are making a real difference to the people of the Gold Coast.
“We will continue to work really closely with the Council on what we can do to tackle some of the issues our city faces, because that is a big part of our strategy going forward.”
