TonyK
CibbuanoGold Coast team to join TAC Cup
June 6th 2008 00:48
THE AFL has confirmed that a team from the Gold Coast will participate in the TAC cup next season.
The league plans to have the Gold Coast team progress to the VFL competition by 2010 before becoming the 17th AFL team in 2011.
AFL game developmenent manager David Matthews said the inclusion of the Gold Coast in the TAC Cup would aide the development of the young players that will join the new franchise.
"It is our view that the fast-tracking of the young talent who will join the Gold Coast list is best served by playing in the TAC Cup competition in 2009, with a mix of matches in Victoria and home games on the Gold Coast," Matthews said.
"Over the last decade, the TAC Cup has provided nearly half of all players chosen in the NAB AFL Draft and this step in 2009 will allow Queensland players to develop quickly through an AIS Academy style program."
AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said the addition of the Gold Coast into the TAC Cup would benefit all teams in the competition.
"There will be a number of benefits for the TAC Cup competition with the addition of a Gold Coast team," Schwab said.
"The players in the competition will be able to gain an understanding of the preparation and commitments required to be involved in travelling interstate to play at an elite level and still perform at your best."
"They will be able to test themselves against different talent from around the country and will be able to play in conditions they don't normally get to experience during a Victorian winter."
The league plans to have the Gold Coast team progress to the VFL competition by 2010 before becoming the 17th AFL team in 2011.
AFL game developmenent manager David Matthews said the inclusion of the Gold Coast in the TAC Cup would aide the development of the young players that will join the new franchise.
"It is our view that the fast-tracking of the young talent who will join the Gold Coast list is best served by playing in the TAC Cup competition in 2009, with a mix of matches in Victoria and home games on the Gold Coast," Matthews said.
"Over the last decade, the TAC Cup has provided nearly half of all players chosen in the NAB AFL Draft and this step in 2009 will allow Queensland players to develop quickly through an AIS Academy style program."
AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said the addition of the Gold Coast into the TAC Cup would benefit all teams in the competition.
"There will be a number of benefits for the TAC Cup competition with the addition of a Gold Coast team," Schwab said.
"The players in the competition will be able to gain an understanding of the preparation and commitments required to be involved in travelling interstate to play at an elite level and still perform at your best."
"They will be able to test themselves against different talent from around the country and will be able to play in conditions they don't normally get to experience during a Victorian winter."
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