The Gold Coast SUNS in conjunction with Southport Sharks will recognise the contributions of Dr Alan ‘Doc’ Mackenzie to both clubs with an annual trophy named in his honour.
In memory of Dr Mackenzie’s passing in 2022 and to celebrate both Gold Coast teams making it to the VFL finals, the ‘Mackenzie Cup’ will be launched at the preliminary final on September 11, 2022.
From 2023, the ‘Mackenzie Cup’ will be awarded to the victorious team when the Gold Coast SUNS and Southport Sharks oppose each other in the VFL competition.
Dr Mackenzie was an influential figure in Queensland football for five decades.
He was president of the Southport Sharks for 49 years and was involved in AFL in Queensland as a player, volunteer, medical officer, coach, selector and administrator.
“Doc was such a huge part of Southport Sharks and we miss his presence every day.” Southport Sharks Chief Executive Officer Dean Bowtell said.
“He would be in his element this weekend and extremely proud to see his two favourite clubs compete in the VFL Preliminary Final.”
Dr Mackenzie joined the GC 17 bid team in April 2008 with the sole purpose of bringing AFL football to the Gold Coast. That effort was bought to life a year later when the AFL officially granted a provisional license to the Gold Coast Football Club in March 2009.
Since then, Dr Mackenzie served as a board member of the Gold Coast SUNS for 10 years and in 2018 was inducted as a life member of the club, highlighting the substantial role he played in the establishment of the SUNS.
“We will never forget Doc’s impact on Queensland football and in particular the Gold Coast SUNS as one of the founding fathers of our club,” GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans said.
“We think Doc would be a proud man if he was here today to witness two Gold Coast teams playing off in a VFL preliminary final.”
“We are proud of this initiative and think the Mackenzie Cup is a fantastic way to honour Doc and his contributions over many years to the SUNS and Southport Sharks.”
The Mackenzie Cup will be awarded to the winning captain after Sunday’s VFL preliminary final.
More about Alan ‘Doc’ Mackenzie:
A Life Member of AFL Queensland, Dr Alan Mackenzie received the Australian Sports Medal (2000), the AFL Merit Award (2003) and was the inaugural recipient of the Gold Coast Bulletin Sports Award (2003). He contributed heavily to the Brisbane Bears/Lions for six years (1992-98) as club doctor, selector and match committee chairman. In 2008, Dr Mackenzie was inducted to the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame and in 2012 he was recognised by the AFL with the highly prestigious Jack Titus Service Award. He was also acknowledged for his contribution to Australian Rules Football in Queensland at the Queensland Sport Awards in 2018 with the Service to Sport Award.
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