The Gold Coast will field a development team in the TAC Cup under-18 competition next year, ahead of their 2011 AFL debut.

The AFL has announced the team will then progress to the VFL in 2010 before joining the senior competition the following season.

"It is our view that the fast-tracking of the young talent who will join the Gold Coast list is best served by playing in the TAC Cup competition in 2009, with a mix of matches in Victoria and home games on the Gold Coast," said AFL game development manager David Matthews.

This will be first step in the creation of the new team and the league is yet to determine what draft concessions Gold Coast will receive.

Queensland 17-year-olds will be offered contracts to join the new team, rather than going through the draft in 12 months' time.

"Over the last decade, the TAC Cup has provided nearly half of all players chosen in the AFL Draft and this step in 2009 will allow Queensland players to develop quickly through an AIS Academy-style program," Matthews said.

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