THE 21ST season of the TAC Cup competition was officially launched with the help of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu on Tuesday.
The Premier was on hand at the launch, held at the MCG, along with representatives of the AFL, AFL Victoria, the TAC and the TAC Cup clubs.
AFL Victoria general manager Grant Williams was delighted to officially kick off the competition, which has helped launch the careers of household names such as Chris Judd, Adam Goodes and Luke Hodge.
"The TAC Cup competition has a reputation as the undisputed nursery of AFL players," Williams told the gathering.
"Along the journey, 965 players have graduated from the TAC Cup into the AFL, which is nearly an average of 50 a year."
Two new television commercials promoting the TAC's road safety message and featuring Channel Seven commentator Dennis Cometti were screened for the first time at the function.
Williams paid tribute to the impact the TAC has had on the competition and the lives of the thousands of players who have passed through it over the years.
"It's fantastic for AFL Victoria to have such a supportive partner in the TAC, who has been involved in the competition since its inception in 1992," he said.
"We're currently entering our 21st year of the relationship and that partnership with the TAC has supported a football program that has, over time, broadened its perspective to include an extended education program for young players for life on and off the field.
"We look forward to continuing this long association with the TAC and further strengthening our partnership and promoting key road safety messages in the years to come."
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