Gold Coast To Join Vfl In 2010

The Age

Friday June 6, 2008

Martin Boulton

A GOLD Coast development team will join the VFL in 2010, expanding the competition to 15 teams, before entering the AFL the following year as the league's 17th team.

AFL game development manager David Matthews said the team, which will enter the TAC Cup competition next year, would spend one year playing at VFL level.

As reported in The Age yesterday, the team, yet to be given a name, will play home games on the Gold Coast in 2009 as part of the under-18 TAC Cup contest.

"The fast-tracking of the young talent who will join the Gold Coast list is best served by playing in the TAC Cup in 2009, with a mix of matches in Victoria," Matthews said.

"This step in 2009 will allow Queensland players to develop quickly through an AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) Academy style program."

AFL Victoria chief Peter Schwab said including the Gold Coast in next year's TAC Cup would add "an exciting extra dimension" to the competition. "The players will gain an understanding of the preparation and commitments required to travel interstate and play at an elite level," Schwab said.

© 2008 The Age

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