SURFERS SWIM WITH THE SHARKS
SOUTHPORT Sharks have partnered with Surfers Paradise Demons in a bid to reverse the trend of juniors leaving the game and to provide a clear pathway to NEAFL football.
The clubs will field a combined team, Surfers Sharks, in the QAFL colts under-18 competition with the side to alternate home games between Fankhauser Reserve and Sir Bruce Small Park.
The Sharks won last season’s colts maroon league while Surfers Paradise finished seventh in the QAFL colts competition but both struggled with numbers at times.
Southport football manager Jarrod Field revealed the powerhouse club were losing juniors, many of representative level quality, and one of the biggest factors was because of the lack of a clear pathway for those wanting to progress to higher levels in seniors.
The Sharks have a NEAFL team but don’t have a reserves and their senior side currently has just 11 Gold Coasters on the list of 42.
Field said the new model would enable players to make the transition into senior football through the Demons’ reserves and QAFL side and potentially the NEAFL while remaining with Southport.
“There is a pathway now established that previously hasn’t been available for Southport juniors because we don’t have a reserves senior side,” Field said.
“There have been a lot of juniors change clubs on the Gold Coast this year and a lot of representative level kids leave our club.
“The lack of a clear pathway has been a reason for that and we have rectified the problem.
“They will be able to progress through the grades as they are physically ready to do so and they will benefit from playing in curtainraisers before NEAFL games.
“That gives them an increased chance of being seen by NEAFL coaches and getting on a NEAFL list.
“Part of our mission statement is to promote AFL footy on the Gold Coast so the more juniors we have come through our system the better for footy in the city.”