QUEENSLAND State League club Sunshine Coast FC is aiming to be the next club to join the A-League, officials admitted today.
Club officials say the club can capitalise on the region’s rapid population growth by seeking to bid for an A-League licence when Football Federation Australia reassess expansion options in 2015.
The Kawana-based side has told the FFA of their A-League ambitions and sought support from Football Queensland, who have said they would welcome future expansion bids in the state.
The Sunshine Coast region is the 10th largest population centre in Australia. Statistically, the urban area houses more than quarter of a million residents; more than greater Townsville, former home to the defunct North Queensland Fury.
Managing Director Noel Woodall revealed Sunshine Coast FC’s vision, including his desire to bring top-level football to the region's residents.
“It is our ultimate objective to seek an A-League licence at the end of the next five year plan assuming plan objectives have been met,” Woodall told au.fourfourtwo.com.
“If we are being asked today, why we should be granted an A League licence, my response would be that we are not ready yet to take on a licence, both at a facility level or club development level.
“If the question however is, do I think Sunshine Coast FC can develop into a club which can competently manage an A League licence? Then most definitely.”
Sunshine Coast FC was founded in 2007 to coincide with the creation of the Queensland State League. It has since won both the league title and grand final three times.
Woodall keenly differentiated Sunshine Coast FC’s business model from that of the failed Gold Coast United.
“The reasons for the failure of Gold Coast United have been well canvassed in the media,” he said.
“We have set about at Sunshine Coast FC to build a viable club without the need for the ongoing financial support of a benefactor.
“We’ve employed two staff members who as part of their duties are to progressively work on the development of our A-League model, particularly the development of our financial base for future sustainability.”
The Sunshine Coast region remains an unexplored market for professional sport. No major national sports competition has so far based a team there.
“The club has carried out extensive work on demographics and identifying our potential supporter base,” Woodall said. “We’ve projected operations well into the southern Wide Bay area.
“Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast have had excellent population growth figures. The demographic is also showing a strong growth in young families – an important market for the club.”
Sunshine Coast FC currently play home fixtures at Sunshine Coast Stadium, which is owned by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
At present the ground seats 1050 spectators in its sole grandstand. However, Woodall indicated plans are in place for the ground’s development into a premier boutique stadium.
“Sunshine Coast Stadium is a project in which we have been involved from the early stages,” Woodall said.
“We have assisted in securing Commonwealth and local government (funding) for the project. We are continuing to provide support for the purposes of construction of stage two.
“The ultimate under-cover seating capacity is projected at 10.000. It is our view that this size stadium is ideal for our A League operations. We are realistic as to the size of crowds we believe we can secure from our region.
“With our close involvement with the development of the facility, and our current use of the facility, we believe the per head cost would be amongst the best in the country.”
Woodall also claimed the club could replicate its QSL successes at the higher level.
“I believe that we can be successful on the national stage provided we move forward in a planned and structured manner and keep to our core values,” he said.
“It’s also my view that we should not seek an A-League licence until we are confident that we can deliver a quality product week in week out.
“It is not intended to sound arrogant but we need also to see that an A-League licence is going to add value and opportunity to our existing operations and not simply drain an otherwise successful operation.”
At present, the club is awaiting confirmation that it will compete in the new Queensland division of the Australian Premier League. Football Queensland is expected to announce the successful applicants later this month.
Sunshine Coast Stadium will host a pre-season friendly between Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners on September 23.
Copyright © FourFourTwo Australia . All rights reserved.
Related Articles

Kiwi legend: A-League can seize the day post-COVID-19

Backlash over Fox Sports new season launch
