BRISBANE are in negotiations with Australian Catholic Universities to create a faculty within the Lions’ proposed new headquarters near the airport.

The faculty would be a Queensland first.

Lions CEO Greg Swann took a delegation of ACU officials and office bearers from their other partners, migrant settlement agency MDA, on a fact-finding tour of AFL clubs Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne on Friday.

The Lions proposal is to develop a community precinct with pools, playing fields and cafes that are open to the public and sit alongside their training base and administration headquarters.

Their women’s AFL team would also be based there and have been consulted on the design of their own offices and changerooms.

Should they strike a deal with ACU they believe they have a proposal for a funding contribution to present to the Government that undeniably benefits the State.

media_camera Brisbane CEO Greg Swann with captain Tom Rockliff. Picture: Tim Marsden

The Bulldogs have a partnership with Victoria University who have student facilities at their Whitten Oval headquarters.

The Kangaroos received their government funding for creating a community huddle and public access gym.

The Lions plan to do both.

The ACU is interested in a partnership with the Lions where a sports science faculty would be based at the new complex.

It is envisaged that students would also gain hands-on work experience with the Lions sports science staff and be involved in programs with the athletes.

ACU is considered industry leaders in the field of sports science.

media_camera Lions CEO Greg Swan with coach Justin Leppitsch. Picture: Darren England

The Lions have seconded AFLQ’s state planning and infrastructure manager Jake Anson, who has a proven track record in securing government funding for community-based sporting groups.

The Lions have already formed a partnership with the non-profit government funded organisation MDA.

They are one of the nation’s biggest migrant settlement agencies and need a larger premises, nearer the airport, where they can make first contact with their clients fresh off the plane.

The facility is not a housing complex, but a first-stop centre where they are fed and can shower before officials outline the accommodation that has been arranged and the next step in the process of settling into Australia.

It is also envisaged there will be a language school there for MDA clients.

The AFL Commission meet in Brisbane next week and the Lions intend to present their proposal to the entire commission.

The AFL has guaranteed about $5 million towards the project.

Swann said the Lions’ long hunt for a new base had led them towards seeking new partnerships and he now believed they had a proposal that would benefit the State.

“I think it is the first time in Queensland anyone has combined elite sports with higher education,’ he said.

“Then there’s the work MDA will be doing within migrant communities and our own community programs.

“All these facilities will be available to the community. We want to make sure the community benefits from this.’’

Originally published as Lions’ ground-breaking plan for new HQ