Such is the population growth to the south of Geelong, there are plans for the formation of around half a dozen new football-netball clubs in the region in the coming 20 years.

Most of the new clubs won't become reality for at least a decade.

But the first of them, the Torquay-based Surf Coast Suns, has come together so quickly that it is preparing to make its competitive debut next weekend.

"It's so exciting," Suns secretary Brooke Ryan said. "It has been quite scary starting something like this from scratch, but we've had so much support from the local community and local businesses.

"I've been blown away by the support we are receiving. It has been amazing."

The Suns are based at an impressive new multi-sport centre, known as the Banyul Warri Fields, on the northern edge of Torquay.

Within a 10-kilometre radius of the centre are countless residential developments, which will see the Surf Coast Shire's population grow from around 30,000 now to 44,000 by 2036.

And just up the Surf Coast Highway is the Armstrong Creek growth area, a vast expanse that will eventually be home to 65,000 people.

"Good communities are built around things like football and netball clubs, so for us it's all about participation," Ryan said.

"Our club is about welcoming all the new families to the area and encouraging them to participate in sport."
Ryan was part of the crew that started holding Auskick sessions at the Banyul Warri Fields in 2015.

At that stage, the plan was to start a junior football-netball club for the 2017 season.

But after more than 70 youngsters signed up for the Auskick program, the club's formation was brought forward.

A committee, led by president Rowan Dawson, was recruited over the summer and its members soon decided to base their club's colours and name on the AFL's Gold Coast Suns.

"With Gary Ablett Jr having roots down here and now playing with the Gold Coast Suns, a lot of the local kids already loved the Suns name and the colours," Ryan said. "So that was a big part of our thinking.

"The Gold Coast Suns' mascot has even wished us luck on our Facebook page, so I was pretty chuffed with that."

The organisation that governs local footy in the region, AFL Barwon, has provided the Suns with a lot of support.

AFL Barwon football development manager Katie Geerings has worked particularly closely with Ryan and her committee.

"It's always a difficult task to set up a brand new club," Geerings said.

"I couldn't tell you the last time a new club was set up in our region, so there's not really a checklist of things to tick off along the way. You have to learn as you go.

"But every little step along the way has been exciting – from developing the logo and the jumper to getting their signs up at their home ground."

This season the Surf Coast Suns will field under-14 and under-10 football teams, while also running Auskick and Net Set Go netball clinics.

But the club is aiming to soon be strong enough to field open-age football and netball teams.

"We'd hope to be a senior club in the next five years," Ryan said. "I think that will be achievable."
Added Geerings: "I guess it's a supply-demand situation. The club will grow as required, I guess."

The demographic changes that have made a second football club in Torquay possible (the town is also home to the Torquay Tigers, who play in the Bellarine footy league) are also making it harder for other clubs in AFL Barwon's area to survive.

While Torquay's population booms, the number of young people in the small towns around Colac continues to diminish.

This issue was laid bare when the Forrest Football-Netball Club, a long-time member of the Colac and District league, was forced into recess in January.
"We do have a number of places in our region that are struggling in a similar way, but it is nice to see that we do actually require new clubs in other areas," Geerings said.

The excitement levels at the Surf Coast Suns increased further when their new playing guernseys arrived on Wednesday.

Now everyone connected to the fledgling club is looking forward to a season that will be filled with firsts.

"We hope to get out of this season some great participation numbers and ensure the kids really enjoy their sport," Ryan said.

"We also want to create a really exciting feeling and vibe around the place and ensure everyone involved feels like they're part of a real club.

"So it's about starting to lay some solid foundations to get bigger and better in the future."

SURF COAST SUNS FNC
* AFL Victoria Country's newest club already has around 100 registered footballers and netballers

* The Suns are aiming to field senior football and netball teams within five years

By Adam McNicol

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