This is your chance to be part of the Gold Coast SUNS Academy, a supportive high-performing program that allows you to belong to the Gold Coast SUNS FC, grow as a person & achieve your potential.
Gold Coast SUNS Academy is proudly supported by StreetSmarts – a Queensland Government education platform where you can learn more about road safety and help make a difference to make our roads safer.
How do I get involved?
To represent the Gold Coast SUNS Academy you must live in the Academy’s designated zones.
See the map here - https://www.afl.com.au/draft/nga-clubacademies
These zones range from the following areas:
- Northern NSW (Evans Head to the Queensland Border)
- Gold Coast to Logan
- Gladstone to Cape York
SUNS Academy Selection
SUNS Academy Program selection is highly competitive yet thorough process. Through a network of volunteers & staff, the SUNS Academy observe community football games, school programs, representative programs, Academy HUB training/games and other sports.
Through these observations along with Club feedback, team balance, injuries, AFLQ feedback, professional attitude, conduct, displaying Academy values, we make these tough decisions.
Additionally the SUNS Academy will host a range of trial events in our separate designated regions for players wishing to be involved in our HUB Programs. The 2025 Academy HUB Program is specific to players born between 2010-2012.
If you would like to participate in these trials, put your best foot forward and earn selection into the Academy HUB Programs please see the important information below and complete the appropriate registration form.
SUNS Academy Trial Events 2025
Current Academy players are NOT required to trial
- See selection processes in FAQs below
New/aspiring players must register and trial
- See FAQs below for trial eligibility
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South East Queensland |
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BOYS |
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13 (2012) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2011) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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15 (2010) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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For more information and to register for the trial CLICK HERE |
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South East Queensland |
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GIRLS |
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13 (2012) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2011) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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15 (2010) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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For more information and to register for the trial CLICK HERE |
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Northern NSW |
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BOYS |
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13 (2012) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2011) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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15 (2010) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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For more information and to register for the trial CLICK HERE |
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Northern NSW |
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GIRLS |
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13 (2012) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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14 (2011) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
|
15 (2010) |
Thursday/Friday |
16th / 17th Jan 2025 |
9:00am-2:00pm TBC |
People First Stadium (Austworld Oval #3) |
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For more information and to register for the trial CLICK HERE |
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North Queensland |
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BOYS & GIRLS |
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Capricornia |
March 2025 |
Details TBC |
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Mackay |
March 2025 |
Details TBC |
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Townsville |
March 2025 |
Details TBC |
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Cairns |
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March 2025 |
Details TBC |
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For more information and to register for the trial CLICK HERE |
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*ALL players must complete the online registration form.
2025 SUNS Academy (Gold Coast & Northern Rivers regions) HUB Program Summary
Term 1 for all selected players
Term 2 & 3 Emerging Talent Squads (exclusive selection and invites)
FAQs
What do I need to bring to the trials?
Players MUST bring both football boots and runners, water bottle (2ltrs) and mouth guard. Apparel will be athletic/sports shorts, a training top and a hat.
Apparel MUST wear neutral athletic gear and not identify any community club or school involvement.
Players MUST also bring with them a notepad/pen and any medical needs (eg. puffer, epi pen, helmet).
Does it cost money to participate in the trials?
There is no cost involved with the trials
What areas will I be tested in?
Players will be tested and observed in football skill (execution under pressure) speed/endurance and football game sense.
Am I eligible to trial:
If you have not previously been involved in a SUNS Academy Program
- If you are born in 2012 (13s in 2025 – new to the programs)
- New to the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers or North Queensland
- Missed Academy selection in 2024
- Currently not playing Junior Community Football
- Participating in another Sports Talent Program
- Suffered a long term injury in 2023 or 2024
- Are considered a developing tall player (over 165cm – girls) (over 185cm – boys)
Selection for previous participants:
NO TRIALS necessary for players who were selected and participated in 2023/2024
These player’s selection will be based on performances at
- Academy level
- AFLQ Junior Football Performances
- School Football Performances
- Junior Club Feedback
- School Feedback
Some may be invited to trial if necessary.
What time does the session start/finish?
TBC - Start and finish times will be communicated soon.
How will squads be selected?
Most junior football clubs will have sent through lists of their most talented players.
Academy staff and volunteers have observed a number of junior football matches and collected data on a number of players.
Academy staff and volunteers will observe performances at the trials with the most talented players participating with the most talented players in the GC SUNS zone to collect further data.
Decisions will be made from a combination of all these areas above. Players will be selected on the individual traits which they display which are believed to be transferable to higher levels of Australian Football.
How many will be selected?
Approximately:
25 players in each age group and each gender for each region will be selected
North – Coomera | South – Robina | Northern Rivers – Tweed Coast
Numbers may slightly vary group to group
NQ Programs TBC
What if I cannot attend the trials?
Please still complete the registration form under the ‘absent’ section.
We may host a make-up trials session for those unable to attend the scheduled sessions. This will be communicated accordingly.
The Academy will research the data from matches observed to determine selection of some that miss the trial events.
What happens if I am NOT selected?
It’s important to note that players enter and exit the talent pathway at different stages. Development isn’t always linear and we know players this age develop at different rates, so it’s not uncommon for players to miss selection one season, only to earn selection again down the track. There is always the capacity to add to this squad throughout the year if a player’s form warrants.
If you have any further queries, please contact the Academy via academyinfo@goldcoastfc.com.au
