General News
17 August, 2023
Dedication to Suns recognised
CAMPERDOWN resident and Gold Coast Suns supporter Hayley Riches has been nominated for the 2023 Members of the Year award, honouring her dedication to the AFL team.
CAMPERDOWN resident and Gold Coast Suns supporter Hayley Riches has been nominated for the 2023 Members of the Year award, honouring her dedication to the AFL team.
Ms Riches has been a fan of the team, and member of the team’s cheer squad, since she was 11 years old.
Her father, Gavin Riches, was a fan of the team since it formed in 2009 and is in charge of the Victorian cheer squad.
Ms Riches said the award has been going for a few years.
“My family nominated me, so I actually had no idea,” she said.
“It recognizes the club’s people and supporters for their dedication towards the club.
“It highlights it and rewards people for what they’ve done over the years.
“My dad got it in the inaugural year, and I thought that was cool. I’m not one to go ‘oh yeah, I should nominate myself’, or to think that I better get it.”
Ms Riches said she was “surprised” and “flattered” that she was nominated.
“Dad has been in charge of the Gold Coast Suns cheer squad in Victoria ever since the beginning, and I’ve kind a grown up into it so now I’m the loud-mouth in Victoria,” she said.
“There’s an age limit of 14, but because there weren’t many Suns supporters, I was doing it when I was 11.”
As part of the recognition, Ms Riches will be incorporated in game-day events at the Gold Coast Suns’ game against Carlton in Queensland on Saturday.
This includes being part of the guard of honour and having her name called out during the team announcements.
Ms Riches will also be displayed on the big screen for the team selection, and will receive a match-worn guernsey.
