Moncrieff Media

Gold Coast AFL team banned from playing home games

22 October 2008

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Local MP Steven Ciobo is fighting for federal funding to support the Gold Coast AFL team amid reports the team will be banned from playing home games.

A contract between the State Government and the AFL bans matches being played on the Gold Coast until 2016, but the Gold Coast City Council has pledged $20 million towards redeveloping Carrara stadium after plans for a new AFL stadium were scrapped.

Mr Ciobo said he believed Gold Coast City Council was making a submission to the Federal Government for a further $30 million on behalf of the city.

“We have 42,000 registered supporters and 114 local businesses backing the bid for a Gold Coast based AFL team. It is time the Federal Government put its hands in its pockets and offered financial support,” Mr Ciobo said.

“We have a strong following of AFL supporters here on the Coast and as the nation’s sixth largest city we should have a range of representative teams.

“Our national league team, the Titans, are doing our city proud and so is our basketball team, the Blaze – we are just lacking an AFL presence.

“I am confident the GC17 bid for an AFL license will be successful and I would hope that the State Government would see sense and lift its ban on matches being played on the Gold Coast.

“It is ridiculous to think that so much time and energy has gone into securing a Gold Coast AFL team only to have fans disappointed when home games are played at the Gabba.

“I look forward to the day when I can watch an AFL grand final on home turf.”