Magpies have landed at Maroochydore

Hot on the heels of the Saints and Hawks, the Collingwood Magpies have flown north to prepare for their 2016 AFL premiership campaign.

One of Australia’s biggest sporting brands, the Magpies have landed on the Sunshine Coast in the first week of January.

Tourism Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said the AFL’s most supported club was sure to be a huge hit with local sporting enthusiasts.

“The Collingwood Football Club is so revered right around Australia and it’ll be a terrific honour to have them here on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“We’ve already had St Kilda, premiers Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney sweating it out here over the past few weeks and they’ve absolutely loved everything about the Sunshine Coast during their stays.

“Word is quickly spreading in the southern states about how fantastic the Sunshine Coast is as a pre-season camp destination and we can’t wait for Collingwood to arrive and sample all the wonderful things our region has to offer.

“The Magpies have just under 80,000 members and 13 supporter groups right around Australia and we expect a number of their legion of fans to also visit the Sunshine Coast at the same time they’re here.”

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert said the club’s players, coaches and officials were eagerly anticipating their first Queensland sojourn.

“Collingwood is really pleased to be coming to the Sunshine Coast for such an important period of our pre-season training,” he said.

“The facilities and natural advantages the region offers are perfectly suited to our needs and South-East Queensland is a Collingwood supporter stronghold. The opportunity to share some time with our fans and let them see some of what we do is one we’re all looking forward to.”

Sunshine Coast Destination Limited CEO Simon Ambrose said the continued visits from high profile interstate sporting clubs was an important achievement.

“Melbourne and Sydney are our two most significant interstate markets so having AFL teams come here helps to put the spotlight on the Sunshine Coast and it also helps to strengthen the development of the sport here,” Mr Ambrose said.

Collingwood will host a special open training session at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on Wednesday, January 6 from 9.30am to 11.30am. Fans are invited to watch the team go through its paces, enjoy free face painting and grab an autograph.

The Brisbane Lions, Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs will also conduct pre-season camps on the Sunshine Coast over the coming weeks. Each club will host community open sessions on the following dates at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex:

• Brisbane Lions – Community open session and Super Clinic on Wednesday, January 13

• Melbourne FC – Community open session on Saturday, January 16

• Western Bulldogs – Community open session on Sunday, January 31.

Times for these events will be confirmed closer to their dates. To keep up-to-date make sure you follow Sunshine Coast Council on Facebook.