It's been just over a month since the submission was handed into the AFL, and we're all hoping for a decision soon.
Things are progressing well on the Football side, with training starting this weekend, some more key appointments, and some good news on the economic front!
GC17 TRAINING COMMENCES FOR TAC CUP SIDE
Coach Guy McKenna will begin the journey for the group of young Queenslanders as he begins to shape his team for the Gold Coast's entry into the premier Under 18's competition.
The team has contracted seven players with the remainder of the players coming via the AFL Queensland Talented Player Pathway made of Queenslanders turning 17 or 18 in 2009.
Training will continue on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the end of December and commence again mid January.
FORMER AFL CHAMPIONS ASHCROFT AND HART JOIN GC17 JOURNEY
Ashcroft and Hart, two of Queensland's most decorated and experienced AFL players, will help guide the development of the young team under senior coach Guy McKenna.
The club's coaching staff will have a total of 858 senior games and 8 AFL premierships between them and will coach the team in the TAC Cup Under 18's competition next year.
Both new coaches have strong Gold Coast links with Hart living on the Gold Coast for the past 18 years and coaching Broadbeach Football Club in the AFLQ competition this year.
Ashcroft was born on the Gold Coast and was recruited to the Brisbane Bears from Southport Football Club in 1989.
Hart played 273 games for the Brisbane Lions and was a key member of the 2001, 2002, 2003 Premierships sides winning the Norm Smith Medal for Best on Ground in the 2001 AFL Grand Final.
Ashcroft played 318 games for the Brisbane Lions including three premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He is the games record holder for the Brisbane Lions and is the first non-Victorian to have played 300 games in the AFL. He has been Football Operations Manager for the Brisbane Lions for the past four years.
LOCAL AFL TEAM WILL INJECT $34 MILLION INTO GOLD COAST ECONOMY EACH YEAR
An independent economic report conducted by Queensland economist Dr Christopher Hunn said Gold Coast business will be the main beneficiaries with more than 90% of the spending benefitting organisations not directly aligned to the new AFL team.
The key beneficiaries are likely to be accommodation and tourism providers, food and beverage businesses, fuel retail and hire cars, sport and recreation businesses, taxis and local transport and retail businesses.
The Commercial and Economic Impact Evaluation Report has been prepared based on the expectation a new sporting stadium, home for GC17, is expected to become operational in 2013, with 10 games played each year until 2015.
From 2016 onwards the new stadium will host 11 games a year. The analysis in the report relates to all attendance categories (spectators, teams, media) expected to attend all 11 games in the first full year of operations (2016).
GC17 Chairman John Witheriff welcomed the report and said it strongly backed the Bid Team's assumptions of the value a Gold Coast AFL team will create for the local community.
"Dr Hunn's report has provided a greater understanding of the economic benefits the AFL team will provide to the Gold Coast and most importantly demonstrates the significant return to the local community.If our bid is successful, this football club will be an important part of our community fabric for many generations to come."
Visit gc17.com.au for the latest updates!
