The countdown is on with only a week to go until the 2012 NAB AFL Draft returns to the Gold Coast on Thursday 22 November, its home for the next three years.
The Draft is the second-biggest media event on the AFL calendar and sees about 300 AFL Club personnel and sports media arrive on the Gold Coast for two to three days. The event is also broadcast live nationally on FOX FOOTY, 3AW, 5AA, SEN, Gold FM and streamed on afl.com.au.
The NAB AFL Draft is the major recruiting tool for all AFL Clubs and critical to the AFL Commission’s objective of developing an even competition. First held in 1986, the NAB AFL Draft sees the very best 100 young players from around Australia put forward for selection by the 18 AFL Clubs.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, said the 2012 NAB AFL Draft was the first of a three year commitment to host the event on the Gold Coast.
“Events like the 2012 NAB AFL Draft showcase the Gold Coast region to a national audience as a leading sporting events destination,” Ms Stuckey said.
The 2012 NAB AFL Draft is supported through Events Queensland as part of the Newman Government’s goal to double the annual overnight visitor expenditure in Queensland to $30 billion by 2020.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the League was pleased to be returning to the Gold Coast this year, following a very successful NAB AFL Draft and Industry Conference there in 2010.
“We thank the Queensland Government and the team at Events Queensland for the opportunity to bring the Draft back to the Gold Coast this year, in again in 2013 and 2014.
“The facilities for major events and business are fantastic and our Clubs and broadcast partners love the wonderful backdrop the region provides.
“It s also a wonderful opportunity for the local AFL community to come together at Metricon Stadium and learn from the many talented individuals within our AFL Clubs,” he said.
AFL Queensland has taken the opportunity of having the spotlight of the AFL industry on the region, to stage a week-long program of events catering for local coaches, players, staff and talented athletes both within the AFL system and from other sports.
Up to 1500 members of the local football community and AFL Club members and fans are likely to attend the Draft at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach.
For more details on the 2012 NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast visit aflq-new.fspdev.com/nabafldraft.
