Dave The Man
5 Jun 2008, 19:10
AS PART of the establishment of an AFL team on the Gold Coast, a development team representing the region will join the TAC Cup competition next year.
AFL Game Development Manager David Matthews said the Gold Coast working party had determined that the progress of the young players who would initially join the club would benefit most from playing in the elite TAC Cup competition.
The initial batch of young players who formed the base of the club's list at the end of this season would play in the TAC Cup for 2009, with a view then to the team progressing to the VFL competition for the 2010 year, before its admission as the 17th AFL club.
"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," Mr 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," he said.
AFL Victoria Chief Executive Peter Schwab said the addition of a Gold Coast team would add an exciting extra dimension for the 2009 TAC Cup.
"There will be a number of benefits for the TAC Cup competition with the addition of a Gold Coast team," Mr 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 TAC Cup seeks to expose young players to as many different environments as possible to develop player skills and abilities and this team will be a strong addition to the competition," he said.
What are your thoughts on this,
Story Here (http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=60933)
AFL Game Development Manager David Matthews said the Gold Coast working party had determined that the progress of the young players who would initially join the club would benefit most from playing in the elite TAC Cup competition.
The initial batch of young players who formed the base of the club's list at the end of this season would play in the TAC Cup for 2009, with a view then to the team progressing to the VFL competition for the 2010 year, before its admission as the 17th AFL club.
"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," Mr 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," he said.
AFL Victoria Chief Executive Peter Schwab said the addition of a Gold Coast team would add an exciting extra dimension for the 2009 TAC Cup.
"There will be a number of benefits for the TAC Cup competition with the addition of a Gold Coast team," Mr 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 TAC Cup seeks to expose young players to as many different environments as possible to develop player skills and abilities and this team will be a strong addition to the competition," he said.
What are your thoughts on this,
Story Here (http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=60933)