There aren’t many AFL fans that didn’t dream of playing as a champion full-forward and kicking the matching-winning goal on Grand Final day, forever cementing their legacy as a premiership hero.
It’s a dream that is quickly taking off at grassroots level on the Gold Coast, as Auskick participation and school-based junior programs continued to sky rocket in 2013.
Therefore it makes since that emerging key forward, Sam Day is the face of the Gold Coast SUNS Shine Program, with the aerialist set to come on board as program ambassador, continuing the great work started by his teammates over the past three years.
“The players and I are looking forward to jumping on board this year, and really making sure the kids are aware of the benefits of healthy eating, and keeping active,” Day told goldcoastfc.com.au.
Jaeger O’Meara, Jack Martin and Aaron Hall are also among a number of leading players that attended an internal SHINE training course on Tuesday, where players were educated on the importance of the program’s key messages before visiting the schools early in the school year.
The Shine program is delivered via a three-way partnership between the GC SUNS, Gold Coast City Council and AFL Queensland, and also receives financial assistance to fund the program through the generous support of both the Queensland Government and McDonald’s Gold Coast.
GC SUNS Community Manager – Corey Bell, said the community initiative had become one of the GC SUNS strongest community programs, and was looking forward to delivering the SHINE schools program for a fourth consecutive year.
“The encouraging feedback that we have received from the schools demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in educating these students on the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Bell.
“The GC SUNS are proud that the community program is assisting in the development of their (students) skills and knowledge, and will certainly be looking to take the SHINE program to even greater heights this year.”
The GC SUNS will kick-start the 2014 SHINE program on between 24-28 February, visiting a total of 5 schools throughout the week.
To register your class or school for the SHINE schools program contact GC SUNS Community Programs Officer Tim Mackrill at tim.mackrill@goldcoastfc.com.au
