The influence of the Gold Coast SUNS is being seen at the most grass roots level with more Gold Coast juniors playing AFL football now, than ever before.

Junior participation numbers are significantly up again on the Gold Coast for the second year straight as this year’s figures approach 2,500 junior players, an increase of 17% from the 2011 season which saw a growth of 15% from the previous year.

There’s no denying Aussie rules football has well and truly made its mark in South-East Queensland, a traditionally rugby league loyal stronghold. Helped along by an impressive boutique home ground, an AFL match day experience voted number one in the country and a dedicated line up of hard-working young talent, it seems the scales have tipped in favour of the red leather ball and all the proof you need is the sheer number of Sherrin footballs being kicked around at the beach on a weekend.

Gold Coast SUNS Community Programs Manager, Corey Bell, says it’s great to see the passion young local AFL fans have at such a young age.

“The level of demand and request for Gold Coast SUNS community appearances has been phenomenal. It’s been fantastic to see the community’s appreciation and understanding of the code as we grow as a Club.

“The continued increase in junior participation numbers ties in nicely with our start in the AFL and while we can’t attribute this growth wholly to our Club – it’s is nice for us to play our small part in a wonderful partnership with AFL Gold Coast Juniors through the players providing many hours of community work and appearances in and around the Gold Coast and northern NSW region.

“As a father myself of a young and very enthusiastic footy fan that plays in the local junior competition each Saturday, you get to see first hand every weekend the impact our players have in local schools and football clubs. It’s brilliant to see them interacting, and very rewarding to see the pleasure the kids get out of having a kick with their favourite player,” he said.

AFL Queensland Gold Coast Manager, Richie Lyons, says game development has come a long way since the Gold Coast club joined the AFL.

“The Gold Coast SUNS players are just so accessible. These kids have their heroes visit them at school, at local clubs and at Auskick on a regular basis,” Lyons said.

“The three years leading into the Gold Coast SUNS joining the AFL, junior club participation numbers were stagnant and almost non-existent. We are seeing healthy numbers and quite a dramatic increase year on year which reflects the Gold Coast SUNS community work.

“We’ve actually seen the same feedback of growth and interest in the game is coming from the QLD Country regions as well due to player visits and staff branded in Gold Coast SUNS uniforms. The demand flows in from regional areas as far north as Cairns.”