TAC Cup continues to be a bounty for AFL recruiters

The Transport Accident Commission is hailing the strength of Victoria’s elite Under-18 football league, following last night’s NAB AFL National Draft.

Twenty-six of the 62 draftees new to the AFL system were from TAC Cup clubs, including seven of the top ten selections.

TAC CEO Janet Dore said the TAC Cup has consistently provided around half of the draftees recruited by AFL clubs each year – a testament to the competition.

“It’s always fantastic to see these highly talented teenagers realise their dreams on draft night,” Ms Dore said.

“Former TAC Cup players Tom Boyd, Josh Kelly and Jack Billings were chosen – these three and hundreds of other players all played under the ‘Speed Hurts’ banner this year.

“The TAC Cup partnership is not just about football, it supports a broader program that aims to develop and educate young players and prepare them for life on and off the field,” Ms Dore said.

“It provides the TAC with a direct path into the lives of young Victorian men in a bid to help shape their attitudes to road safety.”

“We wish all TAC Cup players from 2013 the best for their future pursuits, in the knowledge they’ve learnt valuable lessons from our road safety program.”

Each year, players from every TAC Cup club listen to a presentation about the severity of road trauma, take part in a Leading Teams session focusing on road safety and create and star in their own road safety advertisements. 

“The TAC has been a proud sponsor of this competition since its inception more than 20 years ago, making it one of the longest-running partnerships in Australian sport.

“In that time, the TAC Cup has blossomed into an increasingly professional, resourceful breeding ground for elite sportsmen, who are all educated on the vital importance of road safety.

“We look forward to further strengthening this bond in 2014 and beyond, with more exciting initiatives on the horizon,” Ms Dore said.

Watch some of the road safety commercials created by the TAC Cup players here.

For more information contact Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778.

 

Above: Sandringham Dragons led the way for TAC Cup clubs with six players drafted. From left, Josh Kelly (GWS Giants), Christian Salem (Melbourne) and Nathan Freeman (Collingwood) at Surfers Paradise yesterday.