A host of Gold Coast SUNS players made the drive up north to Redland’s Bay for a two-hour defensive driving course, as part of an on-going Player Development program aimed at educating players on road safety awareness. 

Coordinated by Aussie V8 Supercar Driver – David Russell, the players were taken through the driving mechanics for different weather conditions, with each Gold Coaster quizzed at various stages of the presentation before eventually strapping on the seatbelt as they tested their newly-equipped driving skills on wet and slippery surface.

David Swallow, Jaeger O’Meara and Harley Bennell did their best to transform their talents from the football field on to the driving track, but to little avail. 

Despite holding an automatic license Dion Prestia did surprisingly well with the clutch, while Jack Martin outshone the rest of his team mates as the silky midfielder looking just as smooth behind the wheel.

GC SUNS Player Welfare Coordinator – Sam Coen, told goldcoastfc.com.au the defensive driving course had been met with significant praise from the players.

“We brought our first year players out, and some of the guys that missed out last year, to learn a bit about what they can do if they should find themselves in a sticky situation on the roads,” he said.

Coen said Club remained committed to developing each player as respected leaders in the Gold Coast community.

“We challenge our guys every day to be leaders in the community because they are role models to young people everywhere,” he said.

“If we can give them the tools to be responsible on the roads then we are on the right track to what we want to achieve with our off-field development.”