20/08/2026
THANK YOU, DAVID BENIGNO ๐
After more than a decade in the blue and white, coach David Benigno is hanging up the clipboard, and what a journey itโs been.
Dave arrived from Merrimac in 2013 and made an immediate mark, guiding our First Division Reserves to the premiership and a grand final in his very first season. A year later he took our Premier League Reserves to premiership and grand final runners-up, before stepping up to lead the Prems in 2015, third in the league and a preliminary final in year one.
Then came 2016. A second-place finish, a 3โ2 Grand Final triumph over Murwillumbah, and a historic FFA Cup run to the last 32 โ knocking over four NPL sides, including Gold Coast City, along the way. One of the greatest seasons in our clubโs history.
After finishing third in 2017 and a well-earned break, Dave returned to lead our 23s on a remarkable climb from QPL 3 to QPL 1.
But the trophies only tell half the story. More than a coach, a leader, a mentor, and part of our family. The players heโs developed and the standards heโs set will be felt at Lex Bell Oval for years to come.
From everyone at Surfers Paradise Apollo FC, grazie, David. ๐ฎ๐น
Once a Blue, always a Blue. ๐๐ค
