THE GC17 team remains "extremely confident" it will be granted the 17th AFL licence, despite the league's failure to reach a final decision on the tender at its meeting this week.
The AFL Commission met in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday to discuss a range of issues including the submission of the GC17's application for a licence, and whether it had met criteria outlined by the league back in April.
The AFL announced while the GC17 team has satisfied such objectives, it will hold off on making a decision on the potential licence until the AFL executive has clarified "several matters from today's (Tuesday’s) discussion and provided a further analysis and financial modelling of the impact of the new club on the existing competition".
However, the John Witheriff-led bid team is satisfied with the league's decision to postpone the final call, and believes it will still succeed in entering the competition in 2011.
"We are very pleased to have received notification from the AFL Commission today that GC 17 has met the criteria and done everything required to establish the 17th AFL team on the Gold Coast," Witheriff said in a statement.
"The Gold Coast community have demonstrated to the AFL that we want our own AFL team and that the Gold Coast Football Club has the foundations for success.
"We understand the AFL still has some work to do before making a final decision on the license and we remain extremely confident of a positive outcome for the Gold Coast."
Criteria GC17 was asked to meet were in relation to a number of areas, with the AFL pleased it has already:
- Amassed more than 42,000 supporters;
- Gained the backing of 111 businesses;
- Established a community engagement strategy;
- Built business plans; and,
- Begun the foundations of a strong and successful club on the Gold Coast.
The AFL did confirm the Gold Coast team will compete in the 2009 TAC Cup, and will endorse the extension of all playing and coaching contracts undertaken by GC17 to extend beyond next season.
It also acknowledged the "important stage" in the establishment of the Gold Coast football club that has seen an agreement reached between the Queensland Government and the AFL that will allow the club to play games on the Gold Coast, and not at the Gabba in Brisbane.
"It is also very encouraging that the AFL and Queensland Government have reached an agreement regarding the Gabba and the decision to allow the Gold Coast Football Club to play its matches on the Gold Coast," Witheriff said.
"I would personally like to acknowledge the hard work of our local Labour Party MPs in particular Peter Lawlor, Di Reilly and Christine Smith who have contributed to this outcome and for their ongoing support for our bid.
"Our immediate focus and goal is to ensure the Gold Coast Football Club is ready to compete in the 2009 TAC Cup competition."
The AFL said it was a "significant step forward" in the development of the 17th franchise.
"We remain in discussion with various stakeholders concerning a stadium development and are not in a position to make any further comment at this point," AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said on Tuesday.
"We wish to place on record our thanks to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, her government and Stadiums Queensland for reaching agreement concerning the Gabba."
