Last week the Gold Coast SUNS hosted their inaugural Diversity Breakfast at Metricon Stadium, where industry professionals from the Gold Coast, QLD and AFL communities along with a number of multicultural leaders came together to celebrate the multicultural and indigenous work being performed by the Club.
The morning also provided those attending with an opportunity to look at ways to further assist and develop the communities multicultural and indigenous programs in the future.
While a number of respected speakers attended the function, the highlight of the morning was having Gold Coast SUNS players Jarrod Harbrow, Liam Patrick and Joel Wilkinson providing an insight into their respective cultural heritage and background.
The Gold Coast SUNS have assisted with a number of crucial community programs over the past two years, including the No Boundaries Indigenous Program which runs in both Far North Queensland and on the Gold Coast, through the support of State and Federal Government.
The No Boundaries program involves education around a healthy and active lifestyle as well as the ‘no school, no play’ message and sees players mentor students.
Jarrod Harbrow, the Club’s indigenous player ambassador said players and coaches have done great work in the community through the Club’s various multicultural and indigenous programs.
The breakfast was a great way to get together and look at what we’ve done well, and areas we can assist these communities in the future.The Club also launched it’s brand new multicultural schools program this year, which sees over 800 students of non-english speaking background take part in the six week social inclusion program.
All 800 students from the program and their families were invited to attend their first ever game of AFL football at Metricon Stadium. As part of the experience a select group of 80 students took part in the half-time grid games on field, before witnessing the first ever Gold Coast SUNS home win against GWS.
In term four this year when the players return from their break, the Gold Coast SUNS will continue their good work amongst diverse communities hosting the Multicultural School’s Cup and continuing on with the school’s program.
For more on the Club’s multicultural and indigenous programs, click here.
