Some of regional Victoria’s best football talent will descend on Shepparton this Monday when the V/Line Cup rolls in to town.
Around 600 footballers will participate in the 72nd edition of the competition, with two boys’ and one girls’ division set be played from the April 11-14.
The young footballers will play across four venues, with Deakin Reserve, Princess Park Reserve, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve and the Rumbalara Football Netball Club all set to roll out the welcome mat.
Head of AFL Victoria Ben Kavenagh said he was thrilled the cup was back after two COVID-19-impacted years.
“The V/Line Cup has such a rich history dating back to 1949,” Kavenagh said.
“To be able to continue the tradition this year is a fantastic outcome for hundreds of young players across the state who will get to experience the carnival and play with and against many of the best young footballers from country Victoria.”
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the region was excited to be hosting the competition.
“Greater Shepparton is proud to have the pleasure to host the AFL Victoria V/Line Cup not once but twice for the 2022 season,” O’Keeffe said.
“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.”
O’Keeffe said both local clubs and local businesses were set to benefit from the event, with the competition bringing visitors to help support local jobs and facilities.
“We welcome all the junior athletes, their families, friends and supporters to our region and wish them all the best throughout the competition,” O’Keeffe said.
This year’s event will have a slightly different flavour, with boys and girls who would have competed in the under-15s in 2022 eligible to participate this year.
The change is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 2020 edition of the competition cancelled and the 2021 edition postponed.
There will be seven different regions represented across the four days, with teams from Barwon, Bendigo, Gippsland, Goulburn Murray, Greater Western Victoria, North East Border and South East all set to battle it out for victory.