Footy dreams come true for Gold Coast school kids taking over Heritage Bank Stadium for a day

23 November 2023

Footy dreams have come true for students from Marymount Primary School, after they won the chance to take over Heritage Bank Stadium for a day with their Gold Coast SUNS AFLW sporting heroes. 

The Year 6 girls AFL team was announced as one of three winners of a Heritage Bank competition offering a loan with a difference – the chance to borrow Heritage Bank Stadium for a day for an event of their choosing.

To be in the running, entrants had to state in 25 words or less what they’d borrow the stadium for.

This was the first time in Australia an opportunity to take over a major stadium like this was made available to the general public. Heritage Bank also chipped in up to $5,000 for each of the winners to help make their events a success. 

Also selected as a winning entry was a Gold Coast running club who will use the experience to enjoy a private session on the hallowed turf of the stadium. While based around running and walking, the club is also very much about connection, with participants encouraged to join in social activities afterwards. 

Rounding out the three winning entries is a mother who plans to host a surprise birthday party for her 16-year-old daughter who has physical disabilities, but for whom AFL brings joy, and an escape from difficult times.

Marymount Primary School’s winning entry was submitted by their head coach of girls AFL team, Brayden Pearson. 

“I thought this would be an amazing opportunity for the girls to experience something that not many kids or adults ever have or will experience,” Mr Pearson said.

“My hope was that this would drive them to continue their footballing journey, moving into high school and beyond.

Mr Pearson praised the Stadium loan opportunity from Heritage Bank and the SUNS in helping promote AFL and AFLW in Queensland and locally on the Gold Coast. 

“It’s a fantastic initiative and needs to happen more,” Mr Pearson said.

“The girls absolutely loved the experience. After leaving, a few girls had said they'd hope to be back in those same changerooms in the future putting on a SUNS jersey and running out. 

“To meet and interact with some of the AFL women they look up to and train with them on the main field was huge!”

Inspired by their experience with their sporting heroes, the Marymount Primary School team went on to claim victory at the Queensland Schools AFL championship the following weekend. 

Heritage and People’s Choice CEO Peter Lock said, “We’re driven by our purpose to create positive change in everything we do. 

“Through our stadium partnership with the SUNS, we’re creating unique opportunities like this to bring people together and celebrate their passions. 

“Hearing how meaningful this experience has been for the Marymount Primary School girls AFL team shows what an asset the Heritage Bank Stadium is to the community.”

Find out more about our Heritage Bank Stadium partnership.

MAIN PHOTO: Marymount Primary School Year 6 girls AFL team.

PHOTO: Gold Coast SUNS AFLW player Clara Fitzpatrick with students from Marymount Primary School.