Confirmed: Gold Coast Suns will play ‘home’ game in China next year

THE Gold Coast Suns are set to play a “home” game 7400km from their Carrara base in 2017, with the AFL today confirming THE May 14 match against Port Adelaide in Shanghai.

Announcing the game in Melbourne’s Chinatown today, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the match would help deepen the historic connections between Australia and The People’s Republic of China.

Shanghai is set to get a taste of AFL action.
“We believe we have the most exciting and athletic game in the world, and the chance to showcase our game in China is too good an opportunity to pass up,” he said.

“We have one million people of Chinese origin living in Australia, we have many students who chose Australia to live and study, and Chinese tourists are our number one visitors here, so reaching out to this community both here and abroad is critical for us as a game.”

The Suns will also play in Alice Springs and Cairns next season
Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said this match was a milestone moment in the club’s history.

“China is the number one international tourism market for the city of the Gold Coast, and increasingly both China and the Gold Coast enjoy a strong tourism and business relationship,” he said.

“We have strong links to the region through our long-term partner, Huawei, and with the direct exposure this will generate for the city, we look forward to growing our football club and our business relationship with our friends in China.”

Jack Martin of the Suns in action during the match between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide Power.
Suns members will be able to access match and travel packages to the game, which will be broadcast live to Australia on the Seven Network and on CCTV throughout China.

The Suns will have to get used to travel, with matches also slated for Alice Springs and Cairns next season ahead of a gruelling 2018 which sees them play away for the first nine rounds due to the Commonwealth Games.

Source Gold Coast Bulletin

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