V/Line Cup heads to Ballarat for 2024

AFL Victoria has announced that the City of Ballarat will host the 2024 V/Line Cup, the annual representative carnival for the best under 15 boys and girls footballers from regional Victoria.

The Central Highlands will welcome around 600 players and officials as well as their families to a three-day event when the 75th edition of the V/Line Cup takes place during AFL Grand Final week, from Monday 23 until Wednesday 25 of September.

The V/Line Cup comprises three divisions – two boys divisions and a girls division – featuring representative teams from seven regions, competing in a total of 21 matches. Each team will compete in two matches over the carnival.

The City of Ballarat has thrown its support behind the event and will host the V/Line Cup for the first time, after the City of Greater Shepparton hosted the past three events (two separate events held in 2022 and again in 2023).

The Ballarat community will welcome players and their families from across the state, with matches to be played at iconic local venues Mars Stadium, Marty Busch Oval and Learmonth Oval.

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said: “We are very excited to welcome the 2024 V/Line Cup to Ballarat and look forward to hosting the best junior footballers in regional Victoria to our city.”

“We believe we have the best sporting facilities in regional Victoria and that Ballarat is a true sports events destination.”

“We look forward to welcoming about 600 competitors plus their families to our city, which will inject more than $675,000 into the Ballarat economy.”

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said: “The V/Line Cup is a highlight of the AFL Victoria calendar - an historic and important event for many of the best young footballers from regional Victoria.

“To be able to see the event go to Ballarat, a place with such rich football history, wonderful facilities and a thriving community, will ensure a fantastic experience for more than 600 participants, officials and umpires involved.

“We recently announced the extension of AFL Victoria’s long-standing partnership with V/Line, now 20-years strong, which is a major reason why we can continue to hold this event.

“I thank and congratulate the City of Ballarat for hosting the V/Line Cup and extend my appreciation to V/Line for the ongoing and long-standing support of country footy in Victoria.”

Acting V/Line CEO Jonathan McKeown said: “It’s fantastic that the 2024 event is being played in Ballarat - a strong footballing region, which is also one of the key hubs on the V/Line network.

“We look forward to seeing the state’s young football stars line up in Ballarat in September and are proud to continue to support this important event.”

All matches will be live streamed with details to come on the AFL Victoria website.

The event has a rich history dating back to 1949 when it was first won by Goulburn Valley, with a girls division first introduced in 2010. The 2024 edition will again feature boys’ and girls’ teams from:

• Bendigo Pioneers
• Gippsland Power
• Goulburn Murray Bushrangers
• North East Border Bushrangers
• Greater Western Victoria Rebels
• South East Stingrays
• Barwon Cats

V/Line has proudly supported community football for almost two decades, and this tournament is a crucial part of the talent pathway system, giving participants the opportunity to showcase their skills as they aspire to be selected for Coates Talent League squads in the future.