Expansion Thread

[Noosa Lion]

It's up there as a possibility. But some people say there's little interest there and it's rugby only. Can anyone familiar with Sunshine Coast tell us if support for the game is there? Would it struggle, or would they go past Macarthur, Western, City?

Possibly. The Sunshine Coast is a build it and they might well come kind of place.

Home to over 350,000 residents (similar in size to the Central Coast), I think the ‘Sunny Coast’ would be an intriguing left-field option.


The region represents a clear, unique identity from Brisbane. If a possible franchise were to intelligently market itself as a small, local club, in a similar fashion to the aforementioned Mariners, anything is possible. There is also no competition from other sporting franchises on the Sunshine Coast besides the NRL’s Dolphins, who broadly represent the area and are Inthink playing just the one NRL match a year here.

 

[Kitwally]

Hmmmm. Isn’t the demographic there mostly rich, Anglo-Saxon Baby Boomers? Can’t really see them being interested in football.

 

[LFC]

Hmmmm. Isn’t the demographic there mostly rich, Anglo-Saxon Baby Boomers? Can’t really see them being interested in football.

well that was long ago as many other coastal spots but not anymore talking Sunny coast.
Many young fams and more ex pat depressed vics - who liked better weather and housing affordability.
Throw in nswites who have gone up there the place is thriving.

Sorry Noosa Lion I can't see a shop front gaining traction no diff to the previous Fury in Townsville.
Its NRL heartland, and they also have a New Guinea Club soon to start as well.

Sure plenty of NPL and Jnr football that has gone through alot of recent turmoils we've been led to believe.
In saying that a local Club is where growth in the big time has legs to grow ie Championship.
How many care on a nice suny arvo go watch a unknown shop front "event" - even Palmer struggled and screwed up Goldy let alone can't get enough votes in elections in the sense of throwing money in the can to get a start/following.

Thats my take on HOPE a APL club could "SURVIVE".
Maybe silly Matta could throw in the license fee for a start - got enough to waste.

 

[melbcityguy]

Ummmm have the franchises COMPLETELY given up on pretending they are playing football now?

Haha yes I left my zipper up there but you get what I mean

 

[Noosa Lion]

Hmmmm. Isn’t the demographic there mostly rich, Anglo-Saxon Baby Boomers? Can’t really see them being interested in football.

You're probably correct but Maroochydore is undergoing huge commercial and residential development and is attracting a lot of new businesses particularly in the digital and new media environment. This will eventually increase the number of younger graduates and their families living up here.

But it's understandable that the general perception is that the Sunshine Coast is one of being a big retirement village and that football would struggle with a club in an elite division.

Of course I'm biased because I love the football and reside on the Sunshine Coast but it's good to get opinions from the general Australian football community on it.

A second tier side could be a more realistic option. Who knows??

(Sorry for the mis-editing. I tried to double quote kitwally and lfc and totally screwed it up.)

 

[libelous]

Ha! No!!

Maybe one or two people with that kind of money who would be willing to invest in a sports franchise but probably not going to put money into the round ball game unfortunately.

Clive Palmer's failed experiment on the Gold Coast would spook his billionaire/multi millionaire friends on the Sunshine Coast.

Fair enough, there could be a place in the Championship for a team.

 

[Keeper66]

Fair enough, there could be a place in the Championship for a team.

Well, Sunshine Coast Fire showed a lot of interest in applying for the NSD, until they were screwed over by FQ.