Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL coach Josh Fraser will depart the club to return to Victoria.



Fraser was offered a contract extension to remain with the club, but for family reasons he and his family will relocate back to Victoria.



Fraser said it was a difficult decision to leave the GC SUNS.



“Our decision to return home to Victoria has been a difficult one. I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Gold Coast SUNS in both a playing and coaching capacity,” Fraser said.



“My family and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed in the years to come."



General Manager – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, also confirmed Matthew Kennedy has decided not to extend his contract with the club.



Kennedy, who has spent five years with the club, most recently filled the role of High Performance Manager following the departure of Stephen Schwerdt earlier in the year.



Ashcroft praised Fraser & Kennedy’s contribution.



“Josh and Matt have made significant contributions to the Gold Coast SUNS in a variety of roles,” he said.



“Josh made a huge sacrifice to relocate his family to Queensland twice to be a GC SUN and we wish Josh and his family all the very best as they move closer to family and friends in Victoria.”



“Matt has been with us for over five years and is highly respected by his peers and players. He is looking forward to exploring exciting new opportunities away from the Suns and we wish him and his family all the very best in the future.”



The club will search for an appropriate replacement for Fraser prior to the start of the 2016 pre-season.