Welcoming the Gold Coast SUNS to Wollongong

AFL-lovers in Wollongong will enjoy a sporting boost following the news the Gold Coast SUNS AFL team will be using our city as a high-performance training base over the coming weeks.

The team have confirmed their move to the city to continue their training regime and national competition preparation.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM welcomed the announcement the Gold Coast SUNS AFL team will call our city home over the coming weeks.

“This is a challenging time for many sporting codes, and we thank the players and their support staff for strictly adhering to the AFL’s stringent health and training protocols while they’re in Wollongong,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

‘’Council has invested more than $2.5M since 2005 on significant upgrades to North Dalton Park and, in addition to the benefit this provides our local sports players, we are increasingly rewarded with teams of the calibre of the NSW Cricket team, Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers cricket teams, the England Lions Cricket Team and now the Gold Coast SUNS opting to use our fields for training or games.’’

Club football is experiencing significant growth on the South Coast with an increase in participation of 47 per cent between 2017 and 2019. During the same period Club Auskick grew by 21 per cent.

“It’s is great news for sporting fans across the city to see the Gold Coast SUNS in Wollongong. We look forward to more opportunities into future to see a diverse range of elite Australian and international sportspeople enjoying Wollongong’s facilities,’’ Cr Bradbery said.