United, Gold Coast is resurrected

GOLD Coast United are back from the dead.

The defunct A-League club are set to be resurrected next year as new entrants into Queensland’s National Premier Leagues.

Not-for-profit business group Sports Gold Coast has orchestrated the move, brought about by the merger of Gold Coast Athletic and Gold Coast Galaxy, two new franchises that were to join the new second-tier Queensland Premier League next year.

The merged entity has instead convinced Football Queensland to take back those licences and issue Gold Coast United with a single ticket into the men’s and women’s NPL competitions for 2018.

All local clubs on the Gold Coast have automatic membership in the new entity, which will be pitched as a community-focused, grassroots club that will aim to keep player registration costs down.

The long-term goal is reentry into the A-League as an expansion outfit.

It comes five years on from the demise of the Clive Palmer-owned Gold Coast United, which attracted abysmal crowds and was shut down by Football Federation Australia after three A-League seasons.

“It’s a once-in-a-footballgeneration opportunity,” Gold Coast United chairman Danny Maher, a tech entrepreneur, said. “We are proud to bring United back in a communitydriven model and unite the sport on the Gold Coast.”

“In the next few months we will roll out our plans and key announcements, making United a serious force in Australian football.”

Maher said the club had permission to use Gold Coast United’s intellectual property after discussions with FFA boss David Gallop, but would let supporters determine the team’s logo and playing strip. THIS year the A-Grade Women’s competition has been one of the closest in recent history.

The final round promises to be filled with drama, passion and some quality hockey. Let’s take a look at the run home.

Brothers (Remaining games: Souths and Saints)

After getting so close in last year’s semi-final, Brothers women are determined to step up and claim a premiership.

Saints and Souths have dominated grand finals in recent years but this year the Fury women have closed the gap and shown they are real premiership contenders.

Just two points separate the top three sides and the race for the minor premiership could go down to the last match of the season.

The next two matches against Souths and Saints promise to be a real test for the Brothers girls. Two wins will see them wrap up the minor premiership.

Saints (Remaining games: Stingers and Brothers)

Last year’s runners-up have once again proven themselves to be title contenders but the Blue girls will need to rely on a draw or a Brothers victory in the Souths v Brothers game this weekend to keep their minor premiership hopes alive.

Stingers (Remaining games Saints and Souths)

The youthful side have shown plenty of heart but failed to capitalise on good periods in games and fallen out of finals contention.

Souths (Remaining games: Brothers and Stingers)

This season saw Souths women’s amazing undefeated streak come to an end. The streak began in 2015 and ended midway through this season.

But the young side is well and truly in the mix for another grand final.

Queensland U21 representative Caitlyn Whipp has recently returned for the Red Women. Two wins from their final two matches will see Souths claim yet another minor premiership.

Get down to the hockey this weekend and check out the final few rounds of action.