Die hard rugby league fans on the Gold Coast are openly swapping their allegiance, with many Gold Coasters preparing to #FIREUP this season according to Mermaid Waters resident Carlee Raabe. 

A once hard-core Brisbane Broncos supporter, Raabe was first introduced to “Australia’s Game” after watching her first Gold Coast SUNS match at Metricon Stadium in 2011, and claims she hasn’t looked back since. 

"I went to a SUNS game when I first moved to the Coast in 2011 and I didn't understand it," Raabe told the Gold Coast Bulletin. 

"But someone explained it to me and three games later I was hooked.

"I haven't followed the Broncos since 2011 and I've been a full AFL convert since I was first introduced to the SUNS. My weekends now revolve around going to Gold Coast SUNS games and watching other AFL games on television."

And it seems Raabe isn’t the only Gold Coaster experiencing the premier match-day experience at Metricon Stadium.

Yesterday the Gold Coast SUNS membership figure stood at 8,430, and GC SUNS General Manager of Marketing, Fan Development and Community – Kelly Ryan said support was on the rise. 

"It's definitely our best year so far and we're tracking about 11 per cent ahead of where we were this time last year," Ryan said.

"No doubt the performance of the team at the end of last season is helping ... and people that were sitting on the fence or watching from afar are starting to jump on board.

"We had 12,500 members last season and our aim is for more than that this year."

To renew your membership, or to learn how you can “Fire Up” this season, simply visit goldcoastfcmembership.com.au or call the GC SUNS Membership services Team on 1300 784 436    (Monday - Friday, 9am until 5pm).