THE TAC Cup was once a pathway for young boys to fulfil their childhood dreams of playing AFL, but now the elite Australian Rules junior program is gaining momentum among women’s footy. Now in its second season, the TAC Cup Girls program which includes all 12 TAC Cup clubs, has provided a pathway to give females aged 16-18 the best chance to fulfil their dreams of playing in the AFLW competition.

Many players are embracing the TAC Cup including the club captains. Eastern Ranges star Emerson Woods, who is also in her first year as club captain, is excited with the prospect of the TAC Cup and what it brings for female footballers. In her second season playing for the Eastern, Woods smiles as she begins to talk about the positive aspects of playing women’s footy.

“I think it is really good,” she said. “Obviously a lot of the boys are drafted from the TAC Cup. “My first season wasn’t great, but I went through a lot of pathways which was pretty good.“It’s really good that we get the same opportunities as the boys, and show our talents just like the boys do. “I think it is really good to get it running. “I think it is really good because it gives women the chance to play for AFL teams.”

The talented midfielder’s smile widens as she talks about her experiences as co-captain.

“I am enjoying my time as captain,” Woods said. “I am now co-captain alongside Charlotte Wilson which is pretty awesome. “It was a bit of a surprise for me. “Last year I wasn’t much of a leader…Growing up to be a leader, and showing my leadership has been really good. ”It is not something that I would have expected.”

Woods praised the professionalism of the women’s game including the physios and the trainers that attend every match.

“It is pretty good,” she said. “If something is wrong, they have our backs straight away. They look after us really well… I think there will need to be improvements as the game gets bigger.”

The female players elected in the TAC Cup competition are scouted during the season and invited to the Eastern Ranges trials at the end of the year. A TAC Cup squad of 35 and a Futures squad of 15, is selected.

In her fourth year playing at the Sandringham Dragons, Jemma Owen says the opportunity to be a club captain this year has been memorable.

“It is an amazing experience, it is growing experience, a way to improve my footy,” she said.

Owen beams with excitement as she discusses the growth of the TAC Cup.

‘It is pretty awesome to see the growth of the competition, she said. “From a couple of years ago playing in the TAC to what it is now with the new teams coming in this year especially, it is a pretty good feeling to be playing in the TAC.”

Despite the growing interest in the TAC Cup, there are some concerns over the competition which include knee injuries, muscle injuries and concussions. However, Eastern Ranges Female Talent Coordinator Jessie Mullholland cannot express enough the benefits of the competition and what it means for young females.

“It allows a pathway for young females to develop their skills in an elite environment,” she said. “It gives them the opportunity to pursue their football career and exposes them to different resources. Additionally, it allows them to make new friends in a new environment.”

The Grand Final will be held on May 9.