Gold Coast Titans – Rugby League Team
“Gold Coast Titans” is a top-level professional rugby team based in Gold Coast city. Titans are the second professional team to be formed in Gold Coast, after the fall of Gold Coast Chargers in 1998. Inaugurated in 2007, Titans are the newest among the 16 teams that compete in the much reputed National Rugby League. Gold Coast Titans had their first professional match in 2007 against Melbourne Storm. It was followed by a few spectacular matches during the pre-season trials.
Fall of Gold Coast Chargers
The first professional team to be formed in Gold Coast was Gold Coast Tweed Giants in 1988. Though the “Giants” featured some good talents, it failed to showcase a great performance in most of its big league matches. Later, the club changed its name to Gold Coast Seagulls and lasted till its closure in 1995. Before the commencement of the next season in 1996, millionaire Jeff Muller revived the club and changed its name to Gold Coast Chargers. Though Gold Coast Chargers showcased some good performances, it was dropped from the 1998 National Ruby League, or NRL, due to a reduction in number of teams. Later the club was closed at the end of 1998.
Emergence of the Titans
After the end of Gold Coast Chargers, a Bid Team was formed in 1999 to evaluate the potential for developing a good team based in Gold Coast. The Bid Team hosted some trail matches between 2002 and 2005. Following the overwhelming response for Rugby matches in Gold Coast, a decision was taken to form a new NRL team in Gold Coast. Despite a delay in accepting a 16th team for the NRL competition, Gold Coast Titans managed to secure a place in the competition. After the acceptance by NRL, the team was officially named as Gold Coast Titans in September, 2005.
Gold Coast Titans played their first NRL game in 2007 against St. George Dragons. Despite losing their first NRL match in a tight situation, the Titans displayed a fine performance in some of its following matches. With a finish at the 12th spot, the Titans didn’t have a memorable inaugural season in 2007. Though the Titans displayed a tremendous performance in the initial matches of 2008 NRL, they managed to finish only at the 13th spot. With some new entries into the team, the Titans are looking for an excellent performance in the 2009 NRL.
Gold Coast Blaze – Basketball Team
The Gold Coast’s basketball team based in Gold Coast, is currently playing in the National Basketball League, or NBL. Blaze, which played its inaugural season in 2007/08, is also one of the youngest teams in NBL. The NBL, which was initiated in 1979, is the major professional basketball competition in Australia. Blaze is one among the three NBL teams based in Queensland. The other two teams based in Queensland are Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles.
During 2003 and 2004, a discussion underwent in the Gold Coast City Council for a basketball club. Finally, the Gold Coast Convention Centre was considered to be the apt place for home venue. The very first name considered for the team was “Heat” but the name “Blaze” was chosen to clear the objections from American franchise the “Miami Heat”. An application was filed with the NBL for competing in the 2007/08 season. Finally, Gold Coast Blaze got approval from the NBL for competing in the 2007/08 season.
Gold Coast Blaze competed in their inaugural tournament with some of the prominent names including Scott McGregor, Luke Whitehead and former NBA player Juaquin Hawkins etc. In their inaugural tournament, Blaze, which was headed by James Harvey, showed a fine performance with a good win-loss record. Though they lost a few matches, they managed to make it into the quarterfinals before losing it to Townsville Crocodiles. It was not a much disappointing season for Blaze as it gained reputation as a tough team to beat at home.
For the 2008/09, Blaze signed some of the best players including Shane Heal, Pero Cameron and Casey Frank. However, this season was not a memorable season for Blaze. Losing all of its first five matches, Blaze managed to win just 8 of its 22 matches. Blaze finished up last in the team ladder. Despite this set off, Blaze is still in the hunt for some of the best matches in the future.
Gold Coast United – Soccer Team
Gold Coast United is a professional soccer club based in Gold Coast and it is owned by billionaire Clive Palmer. The team is all set to compete in the 2009/10 A-League tournament. The team proposed that it would compete in their A-League home matches at the Skilled Park stadium located in the suburban region of Robina. Gold Coast being a major tourist attraction in Queensland, Gold Coast United is expected to draw a large number of crowds during its inaugural season.
Before the entry of Gold Coast United, it was Gold Coast Galaxy FC that stepped up all its efforts to join the A-League in the 2008/09. Galaxy and North Queensland FC competed for their entry into the A-League 2008/09. Although Galaxy’s bid was expected to be finalized, the Football Federation Australia decided not to include a new franchise into the league due to financial security. Following its unsuccessful efforts to join the league, Galaxy started to concentrate on the 2009/10 season.
It was under these circumstances, Gold Coast United came into the picture when the club owner Palmer entered into talks with the federation. Football Federation Australia announced that Galaxy was dropped out for the Gold Coast franchise and Gold Coast United was selected. On 28 August, 2008, Gold Coast United received the official declaration for its entry into the 2009/10 A-League season. Gold Coast United proposed to wear the same yellow and blue colors that was worn by rugby team Gold Coast Titans and basketball team Gold Coast Blaze.
Gold Coast United will play their home matches at Robina’s Skilled Park, a stadium that can accommodate more than 27 thousand visitors. The stadium was designed in a modern rectangular shape and can offer a good entertainment for visitors. The club has signed some players including Adam Griffiths, James Brown, Jefferson and Shane Smeltz. Moreover, the team is expected to rope in some of the prominent players including midfielder Sun Jihai, goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, and Miron Bleiberg. With a good mix of experience players, the club is all set to make its mark in A-League 2009/10 season.
