Gold Coast SUNS
Building a Connected Athlete & Participation Ecosystem
Gold Coast SUNS
Case Study
GOLD COAST SUNS CASE STUDY
Overview
The Gold Coast SUNS partnered with Playbk to build a connected digital ecosystem designed to grow participation, develop athletes and measure impact across the organisation.
Powered by the Playbk Platform, the SUNS launched a suite of digital products spanning schools, academy pathways and performance development — supported by Playbk IQ to track engagement and outcomes.
This connected approach enables the SUNS to scale programs, reach new participants and strengthen athlete development across Queensland.
PRODUCTS IN PLAY
Playbk Platform
A connected digital ecosystem linking participation, athlete development and community engagement across Queensland, Northern NSW and Northern Territory.
Playbk Academy
Athlete development pathways supporting performance, wellbeing and leadership for over 900 young athletes.
Playbk IQ
Real-time insights tracking engagement, high performance habits, participation and program impact.
Playbk Schools
Curriculum-aligned programs introducing new participants and supporting teachers at scale.
The SUNS Learning platform is a highly valuable digital asset that places our AFL & ALFW players at the forefront of the delivery model. Our long-term partnership with Playbk Sports helps empower the SUNS to mean more to our community than just a football club.
Mark Evans, CEO
Pain
The Gold Coast SUNS needed to expand community reach across a geographic region spanning more than 3 million square kilometres.
Traditional face-to-face delivery limited scale, reduced athlete access and constrained staff capacity.
Problem
The SUNS required a scalable solution to connect schools, athletes and communities while maintaining authentic player engagement and program quality.
Without digital infrastructure, growth and long-term impact were difficult to measure.
Solution
The SUNS launched SUNS Learning, powered by the Playbk Platform, connecting schools, academy athletes and community programs in one digital ecosystem.
Athlete-led content, curriculum-aligned programs and Playbk IQ insights enabled scalable delivery across Queensland.
Results
- 7,500+ registered users
- 500% increase in player engagement
- 10 bespoke digital programs launched
- 1,600+ staff hours saved p/a
- Queensland Government funding secured
- LearnX Platinum Award Winner
SUNS Learning became a core participation and athlete development platform, enabling the club to scale delivery, reduce travel and measure impact.
2025 LearnX Platinum Winner
Custom/Bespoke (Sport)
The Learn X Awards recognise the best digital learning and education technology projects across the Asia-Pacific region, attracting entries from global leaders across enterprise, government and sport.
SUNS Learning earned Platinum recognition for its multi-stream digital design and strong community impact, combining athlete-led content with curriculum-aligned pathways that empower teachers and engage students across Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory.
From L-R: Damian Hecker, Wendy Marshall, Jane McGough, Jon Shepherd
Five years. Ten digital programs.
One connected development ecosystem.
KEY WINS
Club-Owned Digital Platform
7,500+ Registered Users
500% Player Engagement Uplift
Curriculum-Aligned School Programs
Scalable Academy Performance Pathways
4-Year Strategic Partnership
SEE PLAYBK PLATFORM IN ACTION
Discover how leading clubs scale participation, athlete development and impact with Playbk.
Case Study
SUNS x Playbk Sports
7,500+ users. 10 programs. 4-year partnership.
Hear from Gold Coast SUNS CEO Mark Evans on how SUNS Learning is helping the club scale participation, strengthen pathways and deliver measurable impact across Queensland.
Powered by the Playbk Platform, SUNS Learning connects schools, athletes and communities in one scalable digital ecosystem.
SUNS LEARNING IN ACTION
Build Your Connected Digital Ecosystem
Playbk partners with professional clubs and sporting organisations to scale participation, develop athletes and measure impact through connected digital products.
