AFLW Suns search is on Sunny Ray needs friend Rookie has lot to offer
THE Gold Coast Suns are searching far and wide for recruits for their first AFLW team in 2020.
They have already held one testing day for prospective players and more are planned next month.
“We’re on the lookout for current players with aspirations to play AFLW, plus athletes from other sports that are interested in trying their hand at AFL,” a club spokesman said. “Players aged 16 and over are eligible.”
Surf lifesaver Danielle McKenzie, the New Zealand ironwoman champion, was among 90 females who tried out at a test day at Metricon Stadium last month.
Further testing days to find prospective players will be held in Townsville on March 3 and Cairns on March 24. THE Gold Coast Suns have already received more than 50 design entries for the club’s AFLW mascot and hope a world record attempt this month will bring many more.
Sunny Ray (pictured), the mascot for the Coast’s AFL side, will be part of a team that will try to break the Guinness World Record for the most sandcastles built in one hour. The Suns will use the day at Surfers Paradise on February 18 to promote the search for their women’s mascot too. Fans will be able to submit their designs for the team, which is set to join the AFLW in 2020. Fans can have their say on the design and name by visiting goldcoastfc.com.au ELIZA Hynes has plenty of lessons to offer her Collingwood teammates tomorrow night, even though she’s on the steepest of AFLW learning curves.
The former national-level volleyballer is coming into the second AFLW season, having played just four games of Australian rules, after the club recruited her as a rookie midway through last year.
But Magpies vice-captain Brittany Bonnici said 183cm Hynes’ extensive background – she played volleyball and beach volleyball professionally – is also helping the club.
“It’s pretty exciting what we’ve been able to learn off her in the preseason,” Bonnici said.
The AFLW season starts tomorrow night with the clash between the Magpies and Carlton at Princes Park.