World Footy News

The Gold Coast SUNS will provide Queensland sports fans with an access all areas pass to the Club this weekend, when a special covering the teams recent high performance altitude training camp in Arizona airs on 7mate. Viewers in the rest of Australia and overseas will also be able to watch the doco on the Club's YouTube channel.

From trekking through the Grand Canyon, to navigating the red rock formations of Sedona on Mountain-Bikes and scaling the icy slopes of Mount Humphrey's, the SUNS TV cameras captured every second of the fourteen day camp, documenting the intensive and challenging program set by newly recruited high performance manager Stephen Schwerdt and the GC SUNS coaching staff.

From personal achievements and setbacks to team activities, nothing is off limits during the thirty minute special which highlights the dedication and sacrifice required to play AFL at an elite level, whilst also highlighting the advances the GC SUNS have made as the playing group prepares for their third season in the AFL.

Gold Coast SUNS General Manager of Communications and Content Jason Sintome said the Arizona documentary was a fantastic opportunity for GC SUNS fans across the state to experience life as an elite athlete and get to know their favourite players a little better.

"Arizona ‘The making of a team’ is a 30 minute journey which takes viewers behind the scenes and into the heart of the football club at a time when they are working extremely hard in testing conditions, 7,000 feet above sea level where every task as tough mentally as it is physically.” Sintome said.

In an era where fans constantly crave greater access and often have the latest news on their sporting stars at their fingertips, the Arizona documentary is a significant step forward in the clubs continuing quest to further engage with existing passionate fans across multiple digital platforms and to introduce new audiences to the Gold Coast based club.

Viewers will also be urged to discuss the program as it goes to air using the #SUNSarizona hash tag which has been promoted throughout the show with Arizona themed quizzes on Twitter & Facebook, in real time.

“Our goal was to position viewers within the camp and make them feel like they are there in Flagstaff and part of the team during each exercise and every challenge.”

"At the same time we are very much aware that simply watching a television show or broadcast is a thing of the past for most viewers, and through the many social media platforms available, we want to instigate discussion and feedback when the show airs on Saturday,” Sintome said.

Arizona “The making of a Team” airs on 7mate from 4:30pm on Saturday, 30th March and will also be uploaded to the Club's YouTube channel allowing interstate and fans based internationally to enjoy the show and join in the digital conversation.

Arizona "The making of a team" precedes the first episode of the Clubs weekly television show SUNS TV and the opening match of the season between the Gold Coast SUNS and St Kilda LIVE from Metricon Stadium.