V/Line Cup returns to Shepparton
For the second time this year, around 600 of the best young footballers from across regional Victoria will converge on Shepparton for the 73rd edition of the V/Line Cup.
The three-day competition from September 19 to 21 – the start of AFL Grand Final week - will feature under 15 boys and girls teams from Barwon, Bendigo, Gippsland, Goulburn Murray, Greater Western Victoria, North East Border and South East. 21 teams will compete across two boys divisions and one girls division.
The event has a rich history dating back to 1949 when it was first won by Goulburn Valley. The V/Line Cup was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then postponed last year, with the 2021 competition eventually held in April this year, also in Shepparton, giving the under 15 age group from last year the opportunity to participate.
V/Line has been premier partner of the event since 2004 and plays a critical role in ensuring the competition can continue and young footballers from across the state have the opportunity to compete against country Victoria’s most talented junior footballers.
The City of Greater Shepparton has thrown its support behind the V/Line Cup by hosting two competitions in one year, with matches to be played at four venues in September - Deakin Reserve, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Princess Park and Rumbalara Reserve.
CLICK HERE for the fixture for the 2022 V/Line Cup from 19-21 September in Shepparton.
Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome the V/Line Cup back to Shepparton after a very successful competition at the same location earlier this year.
“The V/Line Cup has such a rich history dating back to 1949. To be able to continue the tradition in 2022 with two competitions, after all the football that has been missed in the past few years because of the pandemic, is wonderful for the hundreds of players across the state who get to compete at a high level, as well as the umpires, coaches and everyone involved.
“The competition couldn’t go ahead without the incredible support of our long-standing partner V/Line as well as the Greater Shepparton City Council, who have been good enough to host two events this year. I would also like to thank the regions for arranging their squads and ensuring the players are all set to go.”
V/Line CEO, Matt Carrick, said: “V/Line has supported this carnival since 2004 and it has been wonderful to see it grow over this time and deliver benefits to the communities we serve.
“It’s terrific to see some of the players in this tournament go onto bigger things in football, but the most exciting part is seeing all of the participants learn life skills to help them be a positive influence in their communities.
“Football simply doesn’t exist without umpires, and we are incredibly proud to support the participants of the V/Line Umpire Academy, many of whom have earned the right to officiate this tournament through hard work and dedication to their craft.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said the region was ready to host the elite junior AFL event this year.
“Greater Shepparton is proud to have the pleasure of hosting the AFL Victoria V/Line Cup - not once but twice for the 2022 season. This event is a massive coup and continues our region’s tradition of hosting high-profile AFL events with our partners AFL Victoria and AFL Goulburn Murray,” Cr Sali said.
“The four-day carnival will provide an important economic stimulus to Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, benefitting our growing visitor economy industries as visitors engage with accommodation services, hospitality, retail stores and our unique visitor attractions.
“We welcome all the junior athletes, their families, friends and supporters to our region and wish them all the best throughout the competition. This is a great opportunity for our youth to further develop their skills and even create a pathway to a career in the AFL or AFLW.”
