FLYING FLAG FOR FOOTY
THE Gold Coast smashes every other city in almost every way except one … sports. But this weekend, the tables were turned as our home teams both stepped up their respective ladders with a win by both the Titans and the Suns.
Look, the fact that I am writing about sport at all should really tip off readers that something big is happening in our city.
I hate sports. I hate playing them, I hate watching them and I only read about them when there’s a juicy scandal (so obviously I read a lot).
But the strangest feeling came over me this week … I discovered a secret desire hidden deep inside of me … and it wanted to go to the footy.
I don’t know how to explain it. I’d heard a few friends talking about going to watch the Suns on Sunday, and I’d read that kids could attend for free (#winning), and then when the Titans won on Friday night, I suddenly felt compelled to get off the couch and go support my city.
And apparently I was not the only one.
I first told my shocked husband of my willingness to submit to his sporting passions on Saturday, and diligently began researching ticket packages.
He told me not to be silly, it’s the Gold Coast – nobody attends home games. Friends backed up his decision and so I forced myself to get over my FOMO. It was only the footy, after all.
Instead, I decided to trust
his knowledge and experience and wait until we got to the gates of Metricon Stadium to choose our seats.
Big mistake … huge. As indeed were the lines. General admission was actually sold out, so we ended up just a few rows from the action, watching those fit young men flex for my pleasure. Well, I assume that’s what they were doing. Regardless, I was definitely starting to see the attraction of the game, if not comprehending the point of it.
But I didn’t need to know the meaning of a clearance, behind or assist (FYI, I just Googled those terms), to see that our team was winning in other ways.
The attendance at the Suns was more than 14,000. I know that’s nothing compared to teams in Victoria, but for this city’s fickle fans, that’s kind of a big deal.
It just goes to show what a few wins on the board can do for a city’s sporting pride. If two victories and a one-point loss can convince me to attend an AFL game, imagine what a continued winning streak could create.
The Titans boasted a much smaller 8000 at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday, but I’m hopeful that the combined momentum of our two teams will bring more people to both grounds.
Despite my aversion to sports, I believe home teams – and, more importantly, their fans – are critical to a city’s identity. It gives us a point of pride, a common ground for conversations, a reason to celebrate or commiserate.
Yet I’ve seen more professional games in other cities than I have here on the Gold Coast, despite living here for almost three decades. And the reason is not because a different climate induces a delusion that I enjoy sports.
Actually, maybe it does. The “climate” being the atmosphere that a huge fanbase creates. Just a few months ago, our family watched the Dallas Cowboys at home at AT&T Stadium. The game? Wouldn’t have a clue, it went for hours and I drank many frozen margaritas. The experience? Amazing. The roof nearly lifted off from the noise of almost 100,000 fans. And also, many frozen margaritas.
The fans are what make a sport great. And while the Gold Coast has hosted plenty of teams, it’s never been home to many fans.
So yes, c’mon Gold Coast Suns and Gold Coast Titans … wouldn’t it be amazing if we claimed some silverware this season?
But, more importantly, c’mon Gold Coast. It’s not up to star players or genius coaches to put us on top, it’s down to our bottoms on seats.
It’s up to us to make our sporting events worth watching. If we want our teams to stay in this city, we need to get out there and watch them.
Our success in hosting the Commonwealth Games last year should not be the pinnacle of this city’s sporting prowess, but the start of it. Let’s relive that magic – every year with every team.
I can’t say I understood many minutes of that AFL game (although the last minute alone was worth the ticket price), but damn it if I didn’t have fun.
#Winning.
Read Ann Wason Moore every Tuesday and Saturday in the Bulletin