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The benefits of AFL Victoria’s premier junior regional carnival has proven to be positive both on and off the field for country Victoria, with the 2016 V/Line Cup generating an estimated $2.6 million in economic benefit to the Latrobe City region.

Held in venues across Moe, Morwell and Traralgon last month, the four-day carnival saw more than 3300 people flock to the region to see the best Under 15 male and Under 17 female regional talent go head to head.

Since moving the carnival to country Victoria in 2015, the V/Line Cup has generated a combined $4.9million to the Latrobe City region in two seasons.

Latrobe City Council’s Chief Executive Gary Van Driel said AFL Victoria’s continued commitment to developing Australian Football in regional Victoria has been beneficial for the local community.

Van Driel stated "the V/Line Cup continues to provide a great opportunity for our young football players to see a major sporting event held locally.

“The economic and social benefits generated by this event for our local community has already proven, and will continue to prove, significant, with a $300,000 increase in the total economic impact to our community derived from the event this season compared to last year.

“Latrobe City Council looks forward to continuing a close working relationship with AFL Victoria to ensure that the event continues to be a resounding success."

Since 1946, the V/Line Cup has been an important part of the player talent development pathway, with 60 players from the event drafted to the AFL in the last six years.

Growing to include 14 male and nine female teams this season, V/Line Regional Manager East, Tim Pianta said V/Line was delighted to support the carnival which continues to focus on the development of the next generation of AFL stars.

Pianta commented "the 2017 V/Line Cup will be another fantastic opportunity to see a new group of young football players and umpires on their way to achieving their goals.”

After an extensive application process for all regions to host the 2017 carnival, the V/Line Cup will once again return to Latrobe City next year.

AFL Gippsland Region General Manager, Travis Switzer said the region was excited to welcome the event back in 2017, adding "the announcement of the V/Line Cup returning to Latrobe City is a testament to the high level football facilities that we have at our disposal in Gippsland. 

“Latrobe City Council has done a great job as the host and most importantly the Gippsland football community has supported the event the past two years and I have no doubt we will run another quality event in 2017,” he said.  

“These events do a lot to promote football in our region and it’s a real feather in the cap that AFL Victoria has the confidence to bring such a high level event back to Latrobe City Council.”

Latrobe City Council’s hosting extension is only confirmed for one year, with a new Expression of Interest process for the 2018 V/Line Cup to be open to all regions of Victoria in early 2017.

V/Line Cup images courtesy of AFL Victoria.

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