Women's Sport on the Gold Coast: Teams, Leagues and How to Get Involved

Women's sport on the Gold Coast has never been in better shape. Across codes and disciplines, local women and girls have access to a growing range of competitions, clubs and elite pathways that reflect how seriously the city takes female participation in sport. From the professional level right down to grassroots junior programs, the options available to women and girls on the Gold Coast span just about every sport imaginable.

At the elite end, the Gold Coast Suns field a team in the AFL Women's competition, bringing top-tier AFLW football to the city and giving local fans a women's team to follow through the AFLW season, which runs across the second half of the calendar year. The Suns' AFLW program has grown significantly since the competition launched nationally, and following the team is a great way to support women's sport at the highest level. Tickets and broadcast information are available through the Gold Coast Suns website and the AFL's official channels.

Netball remains one of the most popular women's sports on the Gold Coast, with associations running competitions at every level from junior development through to senior open grades. The Sapphire Series, Queensland's premier state netball competition, features Gold Coast-connected clubs and provides a clear pathway for talented local players toward national-level Super Netball. Women's basketball through the NBL1 North also provides a strong semi-professional competition for local players and an exciting watching experience for fans.

Surf lifesaving is woven into the identity of the Gold Coast, and women have always been central to the surf lifesaving movement. Female nippers, open water swimmers and surf boat rowers compete at carnivals right along the Gold Coast coastline throughout the summer season, and the local surf lifesaving clubs at Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Kirra and others welcome new female members across all age groups. Surf Life Saving Queensland's website has a full directory of clubs and membership information.

For those looking to get started, most Gold Coast sports offer female-specific come-and-try sessions or programs designed to welcome women who are new to a sport. AFL Queensland, Football Queensland, Cricket Queensland and Swimming Queensland all run initiatives specifically aimed at growing women's participation, and the City of Gold Coast's sport and recreation team can point residents toward local opportunities. Whatever the sport, there is a Gold Coast community ready to welcome you.

Sources: Gold Coast Suns AFLW Surf Life Saving Queensland