The Official History of the TAC Cup Under 18 Competition and the Murray Bushrangers' part in it.
The TAC Cup competition was established in 1992 following the disbandment of the VFL/AFL Under 19 competition due to Metropolitan and Country zoning ceasing for AFL clubs.
The TAC Cup is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with a team representing each of the 12 Victorian regions.
In 1992 the competition consisted of five metropolitan teams and one country team. The initial teams were the Northern Knights, Eastern Ranges, Dandenong Stingrays, Western Jets, Central Dragons and Geelong Falcons.
In 1993 an additional four country teams were included - the Murray Bushrangers, Bendigo Pioneers, Gippsland Power, and Ballarat Rebels. In 1995 two additional metropolitan regions were established with the Oakleigh Chargers and Calder Cannons teams included in the competition. The Tassie Mariners also commenced in the competition in 1995. Finally, in 1996, the NSW/ACT RAMS were admitted to the TAC Cup.
In 2002 the NSW-ACT Rams and the Tassie Mariners were omitted from the TAC Cup competition but still remain in the National Championships.
Since 1992 the TAC Cup has become the major source of AFL Draftees with in excess of 50% of new AFL players each year being recruited from the competition.
The TAC Cup has also been very successful in providing an opportunity for talented country players to play in a very high standard competition without having to relocate to Melbourne and for providing quality young players, not only to the AFL, but also to the senior VFL competition and local country and metropolitan football.
Elite squads of young footballers from schoolboys ages to under 16 now aim at the top Regional Under 18 team, furthering their AFL ambitions.
The Murray Bushrangers had two players drafted in 1993, four in 1994, seven in 1995, three in 1996, four in 1997, seven in 1998, eight in 1999 , nine in 2000, seven in 2001, two in 2002 and three in 2003
In its short history, the club has provided 60 players to AFL clubs, and in 1998 was sucessful in winning the club's first premiership, when they defeated the Geelong Falcons.
The Murray Bushrangers also supports talent squads at Under 14, Under 15 (Ovens and Murray Schoolboys and Goulburn Valley Schoolboys) and Under 16 levels (NSW and Vic Country Under 16 Squads). This support gives more than 200 hand picked youngsters the skills, dedication and enthusiasm needed to aim for the top.
And while the Murray Bushrangers Football Club forms the career path to the AFL football for some, for many others it's an outstanding experience, giving them a solid foundation for the successful playing and coaching careers at regional levels.
Last Modified on 06/07/2006 14:02