AFL fans can look forward to cheering on top level teams in Mackay for another four years.
Mackay Regional Council is renewing its partnership with the Gold Coast Suns until 2026, it was announced at council’s ordinary meeting last week.
Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans said the club was thrilled to continue to bring an AFLW match to Mackay for the next four years and was excited for the upcoming fixture at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Saturday, September 17.
“We’ve been really pleased with our ability to drive awareness, tourism and business outcomes for Mackay through our partnership,” Evans said.
“We’ve made Mackay our second home for our AFLW team and have had great support from the region every time we visit.”
Since the partnership began in 2019, the Mackay region has hosted three AFLW matches and countless youth development opportunities such as AFLW talent identification, investment in Mackay’s Suns Academy for both male and female pathways, coaching sessions and school appearances.
The partnership has allowed council to generate exclusive national brand exposure through signage and branding across both AFL and AFLW, as well the opportunity to promote council’s Mackay Waterfront and Hooked on Mackay initiatives through televised coverage and digital channels.
Investment attraction has been another important objective of the partnership, which has led to the announcement of Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park, a new early learning childcare facility that will be located near Harrup Park.
This new development was secured as a direct result of the partnership and the introductions that were made between Gold Coast Suns corporate partners and Harrup Park.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council was excited to continue this relationship for another four years.
“As part of the new agreement, we will continue to host an annual AFLW match at Harrup Park’s Great Barrier Reef Arena,” he said.
“These events are invaluable in terms of improving the liveability and livelihood of our region and the games always attract a great crowd of local supporters.”
In addition to annual matches, the Suns have committed to hosting a number of AFLW community camps, athlete and coach scholarship programs and junior pathways programs.
“We have had several local success stories come from these programs,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Lauren Bella, Emma Pittman, Wallis Randell and Alana Gee all started their careers in the sport in Mackay and have gone on to play for the Gold Coast Suns AFLW team.
“We are confident that the continuation of this partnership will only help to inspire more young people to pursue their dreams of a career in AFL.”
Mayor Greg Williamson and Chief Commercial Officer at Gold Coast SUNS, Simon Fitzgibbon are excited to renew the partnership
