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The value of Australian football in regional Victoria has been reinforced with a study revealing that the V/Line Cup carnival has generated a total of over $9million in economic benefit to the Latrobe City region over the last four years.

Since moving the State’s premier junior regional carnival to country Victoria in 2015, the V/Line Cup has generated a further $2.1million in season 2018 to take the combined economic impact to $9.1million.

Held in venues across Moe, Morwell and Traralgon last month, the four-day carnival saw more than 3,300 people flock to the region to see the best regional Under 15 male and Under 16 female talent go head-to-head.

Advising that it was pleasing to be able to deliver a program that continues to contribute to the community both on and off the field, AFL Victoria Chief Steven Reaper stated “AFL Victoria is delighted to see another great economic result to the Latrobe City region this year.

“The support from Latrobe City Council in hosting the V/Line Cup over the last four consecutive years has been influential in creating over $9million in economic impact to the region, which benefits not only Australian football in the area, but the wider community.”

Latrobe City Council’s Mayor Darrell White  said AFL Victoria’s continued commitment to developing Australian Football in regional Victoria has been beneficial for the local community, adding “our reputation as the Regional City for major sports events is growing stronger each year. Hosting the V/Line Cup has had a significant economic impact on Latrobe City but more than that, it has provided an opportunity for us to show off our towns, our grounds and sporting facilities, our wider community amenities such as shopping strips, tourist attractions and cafes and restaurants, and of course, our love of sport.

“For young, inspiring athletes, sporting events like this offer a taste of elite competition; some of our own local footballers have taken part in the carnival over the years. It’s a pathway to greater opportunities, to greater achievements and one that we very much enjoy being a part of, here at Latrobe City.”

Since 1946, the V/Line Cup has been an important part of the player talent development pathway, with over 80 past V/Line Cup participants drafted to the AFL and AFLW in the last eight years.

In addition, the V/Line Cup also provides an important development pathway for young umpires, with participating umpires hailing from the V/Line Umpire Academy – a program designed to develop and mentor talented up-and-coming umpires across Victoria.

Now in its 15th year as the official naming rights partner of the carnival, V/Line has contributed extensively in providing the opportunity for young players to challenge themselves against the best in their age group across regional Victoria.

Images show action from the 2018 V/Line Cup. Courtesy of AFL Victoria.

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