The AFL International Cup will be held in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this summer. The event will take place between July 25th and August 8th.
Held every three years, the 2020 AFL International Cup will mark the first time the event will be held in Queensland, with participants set to play football on the newly refurbished first-class facility at Maroochydore Sporting Complex. Both the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals will be held in the Gabba in Brisbane, as a curtain raiser and closer to the Round 21 meeting between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles.
There were mixed fortunes for the Warriors and the Banshees in IC17 in Melbourne. The Banshees were crowned champions in an unforgettable night in the MCG, and they will be looking to repeat the feat in Queensland this summer. Banshees head coach Michael Currane is looking forward to the challenge that the new venue will offer “Everyone involved in the Irish Banshees are very excited to be heading to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for the AFL International Cup 2020. Its the first time in its history that the competition will have ever been held outside of Melbourne & Victoria. This simply adds another layer of excitement and intrigue to what is already established as an amazing event and a celebration of the global Aussie Rules community. We cannot wait to see what the AFL, Tourism & Events Queensland, and Sunshine Coast Council have waiting for us in the shape of IC20 when we arrive in Queensland”.
He also outlines that there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes in preparation fo the Banshees title challenge. “Before that there’s a major operation in terms of squad selection. logistics and fund raising and the real hard work is now truly starting. But could there be any greater motivation than to pull on an Irish Guernsey and represent your country on the other side of the world in an amazing facility in an amazing location? “
The Irish Warriors on the other hand suffered an agonising semi final defeat at the hands of New Zealand. A controversial last minute goal cost the Irish men a place in the showpiece in the MCG. Having already beaten eventual winners Papua New Guinea in the competition opener, the semi final result was a bitter pill to swallow. IC20 is an opportunity for the Warriors to further showcase their talent and the Sunshine Coast is a venue that appeals to Warrior’s head coach Brian Currane.
“We here at the Irish Warriors are really excited to be heading to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland for the 2020 International Cup.
The facilities at the Multisports Complex in Maroochydore look world class, and the busy coastal town will no doubt put on a great show for the attending world nations.
We will be really looking forward to seeing some AFL footy with both Queensland based clubs, the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns Playing home Games during our stay which we be hoping to fit into out busy itinerary and get to the Gabba and Metricon stadiums for the sell-out home games which will be a massive experience for us all.
Moving the AFL International Cup away from Melbourne was a big call but it’s shaping up to be potentially one of the best as the Sunshine Coast awaits the arrival of up to 24 Teams and puts on a “World Cup” show.“
We are sure that both our National teams will do our leagues and country proud and highlight the wealth of talent that AFL Ireland has produced over the last number of years, hopefully culminating in International success at AFL IC20.