With a growing list of innovative community programs, and more than 15,000 community hours banked in the club’s first three seasons, the Gold Coast SUNS are setting the benchmark for community support in the AFL, according to AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlan.

“The Gold Coast SUNS are the benchmark football club in the AFL for their community work,” Conlon professed at the club’s 2014 Australia Post Community Camp launch this morning.

“They are the hardest working team in the community, and the amount of hours they spend is doubled to some of the clubs in the AFL.”

Through continued engagement and localised programs, the Gold Coast has benefited from the GC SUNS commitment over the last five years.

It has resulted in the club earning a multitude of honours including the 2013 Queensland Police Crime and Prevention Award, Safer Suburbs Award (Business Category) and of course the 2013 AFL Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, presented to Zac Smith for his outstanding contribution in the space of respect and responsibility.

As acknowledged in Conlan’s speech to leading key community partners this morning, the extraordinary impact the Gold Coast SUNS have had in their short existence has significantly grown the national code not just in the tourist hotspot but also across Queensland, particularly through its increasingly strong presence in North Queensland. 

“We here in Queensland probably have to work a bit harder than some of those southern clubs because we have to go up against many different codes, whereas the Victorians, South Australians and West Australian clubs don’t have to compete with that."

 “So it really is a credit to the Gold Coast SUNS, Travis (CEO), Corey Bell (Community Programs Manager) and Kelly Ryan (GM of Marketing, Fan Development & Community) for doing a fantastic job.”

As a leading administrator of the game in Queensland, Conlan couldn’t be happier with the Gold Coast SUNS.

“I’m so proud of the Gold Coast players. They are fantastic role models and have been a great example of what you can do if you are trying to build a new team.

“It’s fantastic to see them out in the Community and giving back to the schools and local football clubs.”