Gold Coast SUNS digital learning platform gets Queensland Government backing to expand

Playbk Sports have been accepted into the Queensland Government’s ActiveKIT (Knowledge Innovation Technology) program for Round 2 funding in a collaborative fitness technology project with the Gold Coast SUNS.

The project aligns with the ActiveKIT objectives of improving health and physical activity options for people in Queensland through innovative new products and harnessing technology as a driver of these.

The program will establish a brand-new fitness technology product within the SUNS current digital learning platform - SUNS Learning.

SUNS Learning has already helped thousands of students and teachers across Queensland through the Play to Your Strengths program for Year 5 to 8 students as well as the soon to be released SUNS Fitness product for Year Seven and Eight Physical Education students.

The fitness technology product will provide training programs for boys and girls aged 12 to 17 years and have the flexibility to be utilised across various fitness components with little to no equipment required. The Gold Coast SUNS high performance staff will provide contemporary, and research backed activities which will form the basis of each program which participants can access from any digital device.

Explaining how the funding highlights the vision of the Queensland Government ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games, Gold Coast-based Playbk Sports co-founder, Jon Shepherd stated “like us, the Queensland Government recognise the impact professional sporting teams can have on the wider community through sharing their intellectual property.

“This new product for SUNS learning will be relevant for every young Queenslander who can get out and be fit and active using the SUNS training methods as their guide. Leveraging fitness technology ensures we can reach every pocket of the state and have young boys and girls training just like their Gold Coast SUNS heroes.”

The program will be built around the training methods used by the SUNS AFL and AFLW players, but modified for a younger audience. Although the programs will have a distinct AFL flavour, the activities and programs will be generic enough for any 12 to 17 year old to find engaging and beneficial, regardless of their sporting background, skill or fitness level.

Advising that this provides an opportunity to build upon the success of SUNS Learning and engage with a much broader fan base, Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive, Mark Evans noted “at the Gold Coast SUNS we strive to be more than just a football team to our community.

“We are genuine in our commitment to the community and SUNS Learning Portal is a fantastic initiative for us to reach a diverse audience and connect with them in a meaningful way.”

“By using our players and staff to deliver content, we are able to capture the hearts and minds of the next generation and maybe one day we’ll see them lining up for the SUNS AFL or AFLW team in the future.”

Building on the back of growth in fitness technology industry during and post the global pandemic, the fitness technology will incorporate goal setting, gamification and encourage further engagement with the Gold Coast SUNS through various activations and rewards.

Fitness enthusiasts will also be treated to best practice video coaching from SUNS players and staff which they can access at any time on any device.

The new fitness technology product is in development phase and will be available on SUNS learning towards the end of the year.