Sporting life meets central living for Robina local

Assistant Coach for the Gold Coast Suns’ forward pack – and former Richmond Tigers and Fremantle Dockers player – Ashley Prescott, gives insideR the inside scoop on why his family chose to call CBDRobina home, and offers some local knowledge on the area’s best-kept secrets.

Once you start chatting with Ashley Prescott about all the reasons he loves living in Robina, there’s no stopping him.

Even before the arrival of his sons – and when he was playing and coaching AFL in Victoria and Western Australia – Ashley and his wife, Kate, would find themselves holidaying on the Gold Coast quite regularly, particularly to visit family.

But landing a plum contract as the Gold Coast Suns’ Assistant Forwards Coach sealed the deal – Ashley and Kate were moving to the Coast with their two boys, Xavier, 11, and Will, 9.

Ashley had his pick of just about any suburb on the Gold Coast, but after some consideration, Robina was where his family wanted to hang their hats.

“We already knew about the Gold Coast and had holidayed here quite a bit, so when the job came up with the Suns, let’s just say it was a very happy coincidence,” he said.

“People say it all the time, but Robina is hands-down the most centrally located suburb on the Gold Coast – you base yourself here and you have your pick of everything the Coast has to offer…and it’s all really close by.

“You head straight down Cottesloe Drive for 10 minutes or so and you’re at the beach at Nobbys, Miami or Burleigh, and head west over the M1 and you get a taste of the valley or hinterland at Mudgeeraba, Tallai and Bonogin or Currumbin and Tallebudgera Valley – it’s magic.

“We’re lucky that we don’t even really need to travel to enjoy nature – living right near a golf course, we get to enjoy wide-open space, established trees and the birdlife without leaving the house.”

When asked why his family decided to relocate to Robina, his first response was ‘the schools’.

“The schools in the area were definitely the main attraction when we were considering moving,” he said.

“It’s a real education hub here in Robina – we’re at the epicenter of so many great public and private primary and high schools, as well as Bond University.

“Our boys both go to Robina State School – it’s a great little school with a fantastic community, so our sons couldn’t be happier there.”

As you’d expect, the Prescott family is quite active and keen to get amongst the great outdoors.

Ashley said easy access to green spaces, waterways, beaches and local sport facilities were also deciding factors before making the move.

“They’re not into their footy at all, but the boys both love their sport and co-curricular activities, and Robina is super-close to so many options for them,” he said.

“Will is mad-keen on dance so he spends a lot of time at Ikin Dance in Varsity Lakes at the moment.

“Xavier is right into his tennis, so we’re always at GCA Tennis, which is just up the road in Burleigh Waters.

“Our family is really big on green spaces, so quite often we go for a walk or ride our scooters around the parklands – Robina Common has to be one of our favourites, the playgrounds are great.”

Ash has only been living in the area for a few years, but he reckons he’s already got a few of Robina’s best kept secrets figured out.

“When I get an opportunity to have a bit of me time, it doesn’t get much better than hopping in the kayak and doing a bit of bass fishing – I’m not all that good at fishing but love just getting out there and having a go,” he said.

“I don’t think many people know this, but there is some great bass fishing to be done in Robina’s waterways – for me, there’s no better feeling than hooking a nice big bass on a surface lure or a plastic only 10 minutes from my front door.

“When we’re hanging out as a family, there are some great spots only locals know – out near the IGA off Ron Penhaligon Way there are a couple of cracking local cafes and a restaurant called Dim Sum Delight that we’re huge fans of.

“Robina Bowls Club is also a great option – it’s a wonderful little community centre where we can get some nice, affordable food and drinks, and the kids can have a run around and play barefoot bowls on a Sunday… sometimes they have night markets on, too.”

Clearly, Ashley seems pretty happy with his lot in life at Robina.  So is it safe to assume he’s got no plans to move away any time soon?

“In the AFL game I work in, we need to move around quite a bit – but I’ve been lucky to be at the Suns for five years and if I could call one place home, it would definitely be the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We’re actually looking at the market at some other properties at the moment and are still looking in the same Robina area – it’s pretty hard to beat.

“We’re really happy and content being here – it’s such a nice place to live with a really great feel to it and it ticks a lot of the convenience boxes for a growing family.

“It’s a pretty safe bet we’ll be here for quite a while longer.”

Read more about Robina’s reputation as an education hub here.