AFL fans have a final chance to see their idols in action with another three clubs set to descend on the Sunshine Coast for their pre-season camps.
Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Carlton Football Clubs will begin arriving on the Sunshine Coast this week and will base their pre-season training camp activities from Sunshine Coast Council’s Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex.
All three clubs will hold open training sessions which fans are welcome to attend.
Western Bulldogs general manager of football, Chris Maple said the club loved coming to the Sunshine Coast and was looking forward to its sixth consecutive year of pre-season training here.
“The training environment and facilities are exceptional and provide a fantastic opportunity for our players to bond together while completing a high volume of football and conditioning training,” Mr Maple said.
“It’s also a great chance to meet our Bulldogs fans in Queensland, and we hope to have a big turnout for our open training session on January 26.”
Melbourne Football Club’s Manager of Team Operations, Daniel McPherson said the Demons were eagerly anticipating their trip north.
“We love heading up to the Sunshine Coast for our annual pre-season training camp. The elite training ground at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex allows us to transfer our football program and replicate what we do in Melbourne, without compromising the quality of our training sessions,” Mr McPherson said.
“The training and recovery facilities, together with the climate and the beaches, is the perfect way to round out our tough pre-season training.”
Tourism, Sport and Major Events portfolio councilor Jason O’Pray said the Sunshine Coast had firmly established itself as an ideal destination for elite sporting clubs with Hawthorn, GWS Giants and Port Adelaide Football Clubs holding their 2020 pre-season camps at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex before Christmas.
“The combined economic benefit of the camps is estimated at around $400-450,000 – clubs travel with around 80 players, coaching and administration staff, stay in our hotels and buy food locally,” Cr O’Pray said.
“The popularity of the Sunshine Coast as a location for training camps is not only a direct reflection of our beautiful climate and world-class beaches, but also the quality of our facilities such as the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex which recently underwent a $3.1 million upgrade.”
Open training sessions will be held at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on the following dates:
- Western Bulldogs – Sunday 26 January from 9.30am
- Melbourne Football Club – Sunday 2 February from 9.30am
- Carlton Football Club – Wednesday 5 February from 9am.
