Four AFL teams to call the Sunshine Coast home for pre-season training camps

Council’s Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex will roll out the red, or should we say green, carpet when four AFL teams return to the Sunshine Coast for pre-season training camps from mid-December to mid-February.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Cr Jason O’Pray said the Sunshine Coast had locked in pre-season training camps for Carlton, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs AFL clubs as they prepare for the 2019 season.

“The Sunshine Coast really has become a home away from home for a number of AFL clubs who love coming here and they’ve gone on to have some great success in the seasons following camps with us,” Cr O’Pray said.

“The high-quality sporting facilities we have in our region, along with the great weather conditions and friendly sports-loving community, have proven to be a winning combination.

“We are proud of the partnerships we’ve developed with these clubs over the years and those ties continue to build.”

Western Bulldogs and Melbourne are returning to the Sunshine Coast for their fifth consecutive camps while Hawthorn have decided to return after having a break last year.

Carlton will come north with a newly appointed Director of High Performance in Andrew Russell. Andrew was with Hawthorn during their previous camps on the Coast that were such a strong feature in their preparations in a run of consecutive premierships.

Cr O’Pray said besides the benefits to AFL fanatics who get to see the stars up close, these camps also provide great economic and social benefits to the Sunshine Coast, which has a proven reputation as a high-quality sporting destination.

Hawthorn will be on the Sunshine Coast prior to Christmas, with the other three clubs training at the venue following the Christmas-New Year break.

“We are expecting the community open sessions to be confirmed in early December so fans can lock the times into their diaries,” Cr O’Pray said.”

Image caption: Nathan Jones from Melbourne Football Club. Photo courtesy of Kerri Roland.