United finally finds a home

GOLD Coast United chairman Danny Maher says football across the entire region stands to gain from city council’s decision to grant the club permanent use of Tallebudgera’s Coplick Family Sports Park.

Bringing to an end more than 12 months of negotiations, council yesterday rubber-stamped United’s move into Coplick after the club spent the 2018 season splitting time between Carrara Sports Precinct and Robina Station Reserve.

The Surfsiders had been training at the venue on a temporary basis since last month and will now set about developing a three-field training base and administration headquarters.

“It’s been an enormous amount of work to secure a new home,” Maher said.

“The club are very privileged to be granted the opportunity to use this fantastic, multimillion-dollar facility.

“It is truly first class and among one of the best in this region and sees the club very well positioned to build on a tremendous first year and look to achieve the goals that have been set to provide the very best opportunities to local young footballers to follow their dreams.

“Having Coplick is a massive boost not only for the club but for football generally on the Gold Coast. Our role is to provide the best possible opportunities for all young local footballers to succeed and LOCAL councillor Gail O’Neill said while council would continue to manage the use of the fields, she was elated to provide a home for the club. “To have a top-tier football team operating from this facility is a great outcome for both parties and shows our investment in the facility has paid off,” she said.

Council has delivered a massive vote of faith in Gold Coast United to continue our efforts to grow and deliver for football in the region.”

Sports Gold Coast chairman Geoff Smith, whose organisation played a major role in securing the facility, said the move was “a boost to Gold Coast United’s confidence and energy levels”.

“Sports Gold Coast appreciate the faith and trust that had been placed in Gold Coast United by Council to utilise this $10 million plus facility and is confident that they will be rewarded with massive dividends in the long term for the sporting community across the Gold Coast,” Smith said.

“There’s still a lot of hard work and challenges ahead with the rebuilding of the existing clubhouse, fencing, etc, but Gold Coast United and its hardworking, dedicated board and volunteers are up for that challenge.”

The priority is now to determine the works required for the clubhouse to be operational as soon as possible.