In the lead up to Christmas I want to provide you with an update on our progress heading into 2016.

The buzz around the football club is contagious, and I am feeling extremely optimistic for 2016 and beyond.

We learned a lot over the last year and have made some tough calls, but what became obvious to me is that we have emerged a stronger club with players that have a renewed focus on the clear expectations upon them and the responsibility we all have to represent the Gold Coast community.

We have made a number of changes in our football department and playing list and all are focused on preparing for the season ahead. We are extremely confident we have very talented people in the right positions, and - more importantly - they are all of great character that align with our standards and values.

The energy and positive environment that has been created is a credit to all involved. We cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal as we continue the momentum over the next few weeks and into our 2016 season.

Off the field, I wanted to share with you an update on the Board and let you know that – after almost a decade of being involved in the development of an AFL team on the Gold Coast - I have advised the Board of my intention to step down as Chairman after the first game against Essendon next year.

As someone with a strong commitment to good governance and succession planning, I made the decision knowing that our Board was well placed to nominate a replacement and our club administration is settled under CEO Andrew Travis.

It is with pleasure that I advise on behalf of the Board that Tony Cochrane will replace me as Chairman when I step down at the end of March, 2016.

Whether promoting sporting events, concerts, live shows and theatre, one-off major events or whole touring spectaculars, Tony Cochrane’s passion and experience forge a formidable combination that have ultimately resulted in some unforgettable milestones in Australian entertainment and sport.

Tony has made the stage his own from the Gold Coast in Australia. Not only with the formation and execution of V8 Supercars, taking it from a rundown sport to a mainstream sport which enjoyed worldwide acclaim under his direction, but also a vast range of global projects. He is a passionate AFL follower and has served on the SUNS' Board for the past two years.

I am very proud of our players and staff and particularly Andrew and his senior management team. The organisation is united in its commitment to getting on with the job of building a club that can deliver sustainable success for the Gold Coast community over the next 20 to 30 years.

I will stay in the role of Chairman until after the first game of 2016 when I will officially step down. This will ensure an orderly transition to the new Chairman. I will remain on the Gold Coast SUNS’ Board until the end of 2016.

There will be time enough next year to reflect on the achievements of the SUNS but I am proud of what the Gold Coast community has done for our club – and just as proud of what the club has done for the Gold Coast community and for the AFL.

It is not yet time to say good-bye. I will do that next year but I wanted to ensure that our supporters, our members, our corporate partners, our community partners and our Government and media representatives were informed of the plans and also the Board and Administration’s commitment to just getting on with the job as we transition the Board leadership.

On behalf of everyone at your SUNS, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

Yours sincerely,

John Witheriff