Launched today, GC17 called on the Gold Coast community and businesses to get behind the bid to win the right to have the AFL’s 17th team on the Gold Coast.
The GC17 team will, over the next few weeks, announce new board members, football and business forums, a community advisory board and a process of engaging the Gold Coast community in deciding on a name, club colours and jumper for the club.
Members of the public and local businesses can register their support at gc17.com.au.
The AFL yesterday formally asked prominent Gold Coast business and sports people, John Witheriff, Graeme Downey and Dr. Alan Mackenzie to undertake a 6 month process to meet criteria on which the licence for a 17th team will be awarded.
Today the bid team launched GC17 and announced that Mr. Dale Dickon, CEO of the Gold Coast City Council would join the board.
Mr. John Witheriff said that more board members would be announced over the coming weeks.
Community Support
Mr. Witheriff said that GC17 would begin the work of developing a 20,000 database of committed supporters straight away.
“We already have deep connections throughout the community via our local clubs, Auskick and junior football. We have 11,700 participants and 3,300 kids in Auskick. We will be reaching out through that community first, signing up supporters and talking to our local football community to harness their support.
“Over the coming weeks, we will be hosting a football forum, making contact with our participating schools and reaching out to establish a volunteer base. Our aim by the end of the month is for our volunteers to be signing up supporters at local games, at NAB AFL Auskick clinics, at Carrara next month, and out in the community,” Mr. Witheriff said.
GC17 will be hosting a football forum next Wednesday April 30th at 7pm at the Gold Coast stadium. Local football families and participants have been invited to have their say.
Business Support
On the business front, Mr. Witheriff said that GC17 would be hosting a business breakfast over the next month to allow the businesses that had expressed support to sign on the dotted line.
“We have already had many phone calls of support and expressions of interest from local businesses at the Gold Coast. The next step is to get those expressions of support to turn into real dollars to support the bid, and to become ongoing sponsors for our club.
“We must have 111 businesses signed up, including a naming rights sponsor, 10 second tier sponsors, and 100 local businesses signed up to support the bid and I look forward to talking directly to many businesses over the coming months to generate that support,” Mr. Witheriff said.
Football Committee
Mr. Witheriff also announced today the GC17 Football Committee, in alliance with AFL Queensland, to help build the football team to compete in a second tier competition in 2009.
“The GC17 Football Committee will decide the framework for all our football decisions such as building the list, developing club culture and player and team development and support services as well as building the capacity of a high performance elite sports team,” Mr. Witheriff said.
The GC17 Football Committee will comprise of Graeme Downie and Alan Doc Mackenzie, Richard Griffiths, the CEO of AFL Queensland and David Matthews, the AFL’s General Manager of National and International Development.
Club Name and Colours
Mr. Witheriff said today that GC17 would soon be inviting the Gold Coast community to participate in a process to decide on the club’s name, colours and jumper design.
“We want the community to feel that they own this club and that its final colours, name and jumper design reflect our community.” Mr. Witheriff said.
Mr. Witheriff said that the Gold Coast had 175 days to prove to the AFL that the community and business support was there for the granting of the licence.
“Today we are sending out a clarion call to the Gold Coast community – GC17 is here and we want to hear from you,” Mr. Witheriff said.
To register support, visit GC17.com.au
