By Travis Parnaby
AFL Victoria CEO Peter Schwab has extolled the many virtues of the TAC Cup competition and labelled it "Australia's best" talent pathway to the AFL.
Schwab said it was the TAC Cup's ability to be a leader not only in on field development but also off it.
“Clearly it is the best Under-18 comp in Australia – not only the production of talent but the programs it delivers,” Schwab said.
“It is a great talent pathway…it continues to be a marvelous opportunity to get through to the peak of our great game.
“We try and set figures on how many players get drafted from Victoria and the TAC Cup competition is anywhere between 40 and 45. Of course we’d like more but there are other states that play the game. They play pretty well but not as good as us.
“Last year I think we had 51 per cent of the pool and again in 2008 we’d like to think that would be a possibility but if it’s not then I’m sure it will be a high number again.
“There are other outcomes. The VFL is a great competition and if you look at the figures, 70per cent of all player lists in the VFL are TAC Cup graduates.
“Even if you don’t make the AFL – and we realise how difficult that is – we want you to pursue your dream at the highest level.”
But the most important aspect was that players kept playing, Schwab said.
“95 per cent of TAC Cup graduates continue to play the game," Schwab said.
“That figure is staggering because that figure is certainly not replicated across other sections of the community.”
Schwab lauded the performance of Vic Metro and Vic Country at the 2008 NAB AFL National Championships.
“We have a great history in those championships and it’s getting harder because other states are putting in more resources to beat Victoria at those championships," Schwab said.
“In the under-16s, an initiative by the AFL was to reward those young bhoys with an opportunity to play AFL grand final day.
“It’s probably disappointing in many ways for the TAC Cup not to play on grand final time because it has been an opportunity for us.
“But I can understand the national view and we are fortunate the Victoria Metro Under-16 has got through to play WA.”
Schwab said AFL Victoria's ongoing partnership with the Transport Accident Commission since 1992 would continue to build.
“17 years with the TAC and it has been a terrific partnership and I use the word partnership, not sponsorship because you have to work with the TAC because they have a message to get out there that’s very strong. To all the young men out there we have a great responsibility," he said.
“I guess we put a lot of responsibility on 17 and 18 year old young men. The L120 and getting the experience of learning to drive. Not only for yourselves but getting out into the community and pushing that message to your peers.”
“We continue to strive to get better and for this partnership, we try and make it more significant for the TAC and ourselves."
Last Modified on 27/01/2009 11:29
