The Brisbane Lions will defend their AFLW Premiership title from a new home base in 2022, with the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex named as the Club’s home ground this NAB AFLW season, Sunshine Coast Council has announced.
The move, in partnership with Council, will see the Club entrenched in Lions heartland with the region boasting the second largest member and fan base in Queensland outside of metro Brisbane.
Economy Portfolio Councillor, Jason O’Pray said Council was excited to be part of the AFLW journey and welcomed the Brisbane Lion’s women’s team to their new home away from home on the Sunshine Coast for the 2022 Season.
“We’ve hosted plenty of AFL preseason camps at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, including the 2021 AFL Premiers the Melbourne Demons, as well as acted as a hub for five teams during the 2020 pandemic so it seems perfectly fitting to welcome the Brisbane Lions women’s team as well,” Cr O’Pray said.
“The complex underwent a $2.7m upgrade last year that included construction of a new multi-sport field with hybrid turf plus lighting interchange boxes for players, coaches’ boxes and earth mounds for spectator viewing.
“Hosting AFLW competition fixtures validated the investment and would provide new supplier opportunities for local businesses.
“Council would work closely with local groups to ensure access continues with some schedule changes expected once the AFLW fixtures are known,” he said.
Brisbane Lions Head of Women’s Football, Breeanna Brock said minimising disruption to local football clubs was front of mind in the Lions’ search for a home ground after the start date to the 2022 season was delayed.
“It’s an exciting prospect to call the Sunshine Coast our home this season,” Ms Brock said.
“Our club has strong ties to the region and we can’t wait to bring our exciting brand of football up here.
“When we were considering where to play our games this season, it was really important to us that we found a home ground that caused the least possible disruption to local clubs while also having the capacity to host Finals and that’s exactly what the Maroochydore Sports Complex offers us.
“The facilities at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex offer members, fans and players alike the best possible experience, including easy access, sufficient parking, and an AFL standard quality field.”
The Sunshine Coast has a proud reputation as a nursery for Brisbane Lions talent, with plenty of past and present AFL and AFLW players hailing from the region, she said.
AFLW Foundation players Shannon Campbell and Sharni Webb are among those who hail from the Sunshine Coast, while Belle Dawes, Lily Postlethwaite, Maggie Harmer, Bella Smith, Mikayla Pauga all emerged from the Maroochydore Roos program. AFL stars Eric Hipwood and Jack Payne are also from the region.
The move will be the team’s fifth home ground in six years, ahead of the Club’s move into a permanent home out at Springfield ahead of the 2023 NAB AFLW season.
The initiative is being supported as part of the 2019 Queensland Bushfires Local Economic Recovery Program and jointly funded from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.
