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From the first official game-starting bounce in a men's game in 2014, to the introduction of the women’s program the following year, all the way through to recent Premiership success, Past Players Day celebrates the history, passion and people who've built Bond University’s AFL program.
We spoke with three important Bull Sharks to find out what Past Players Day means to them and why preserving the club’s legacy matters.
SAM WHISH-WILSON
Bull Sharks AFL club president
Dual premiership-winning player (2014, 2015)
Premiership-winning coach (2019)
Life Member
“Bond is a special place because of the people you get to play with and my first memories of the club was just how much everyone loved the game and the footy club. It was our second home - we loved it and looked after it.
I feel we knew the stars had aligned and we had the right people in the right place at the right time to make great things happen. Bond's Vice Chancellor, Tim Brailsford, has always led the way with his vision, passion and his support, and we all played our roles to create an environment that made everyone feel like they belonged; but also always looking to the future, which we were always fighting for.
I feel that all sporting clubs play an integral role in creating a sense of belonging. With a high number of players coming from interstate to Bond, it’s so important we continue to provide a community for them to thrive, both on and off the field. We are also seeing a high number of past players returning to the club to play or help out which is very heartwarming.
The wins in 2014 were very special and we always celebrated them together. Everyone was just so invested and in the moment and I still get goosebumps thinking about singing the team song in those early years.
All players fielded all the off-field roles. I thought that was unique and cool and certainly played a role in setting a standard of selflessness and self-sacrifice that is still exists today.
The depth of talent in both the men’s and women’s has certainly increased as we have continued to grow, and it’s always great to see them living our core values and attitudes. Players still putting the club first regardless of their skill or ability, it certainly makes creating the right environment easier.
The feeling you get when you get to represent Bond is hard to describe…you just love it and you want to do your best. The club has provided so many great memories, experiences and friendships for many, and there will be many more for those that come to play Bond.”
PARIS LIGHTFOOT
Triple premiership-winning player (2017, 2019, 2023)
Former Captain
Life member
“My very first memory of the Bond AFL club was back in 2015, it was our very first season as a women’s team so it was just a bunch of us uni students who had played other sports. Only a couple of us had played footy before. It was at Moreton Bay and there were only nine or ten of us. I was in the ruck. It was a complete shambles! We lost by over 150 points that day. I don’t think we scored any goals but we had so much fun.
There is so much to love about the Bond footy club but if I was to sum it up, I’d say it is your family. I moved to the Gold Coast not knowing anyone and I started playing footy at Bond and it became my second home and my family for over 10 years. Everytime I come back, it’s like I never left. The people, the culture – everything is so amazing, it’s so welcoming. I love everything about the Sharkies!
My absolute favourite moment of playing for Bond has to be the 2023 grand final. We had both the seniors and the reserves in the granny and we took out both! Double premiership, it was the most incredible day and history was made – the first time a club had won the double and the first time Bond had won the Premiership in the women's Seniors.
That day is the best day of my life, hands down. The fact that I got to lead that team was absolutely an honour. I remember - and I look back at the photos quite regularly - Andy and I holding up the Cup at the end and the bus ride back and the celebrations with both teams and everyone that came to support. It was unreal! Take us back!”
ANDY LOVELL
Head of Football
Premiership-winning QAFLW coach (2023)
“The footy club started as just a rag tag group of uni students wanting to have a kick and catch in the paddock. It slowly evolved into a full-blown community club and with the introduction of the women's program in 2015, it's now flourished to become the premier breeding ground for young female players in Queensland. It's come a long way in such a short time.
The club’s success has been built on a strong sense of connection and that’s the thing I really felt when I arrived here four years ago - that it was a place where the players and staff were really respectful of each other. There’s a sense of just giving back to the club and I think that's something that's stayed fairly consistent throughout the entire history of the club.
The other thing that has always been a constant is work ethic. There's a Bond saying – “to pay the rent.” It means that if we want something done, we do it ourselves. We don't expect anything to be given to us, we go on out and we get what we want. We do the hard work.
Once you've played for the club, it's somewhere that you can come back to. A lot of past players have left and moved interstate or overseas with career and family, but they know they will always be welcomed back. Part of the reason why we have the Past Players events is to reconnect and bring our history to life.
Everyone is so connected. It's a safe place where everyone feels safe to be themselves. That translates to the field - there's this sense of complete trust between the players. It’s a brilliant feeling. It's a family."