1992 saw the birth of the "Southern Stingrays" and they were developed under the leadership of Steve Kennedy (Regional Manager) and Ron Roach (Promotions Manager) with the home base located at the Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc. The side is coached in the inaugural year by Peter Russo.
The VSFL Under 18 competition originally comprised of 6 teams: the Southern Stingrays, Northern Knights, Geelong Falcons, Western Jets, Eastern Ranges and Central Dragons.
26 years on, the TAC Cup continues to provide fantastic opportunities for talented young Victorian footballers and is widely recognised as one of the most successful talented youth athlete programs in any sport throughout Australia.
The competition's record in producing AFL Drafted players and top quality VFL and local football players is well documented and acknowledged throughout the football industry.
In 2019, the TAC Cup comprises of 13 teams - Bendigo Pioneers, Calder Cannons, Dandenong Southern Stingrays, Eastern Ranges, Geelong Falcons, Gippsland Power, Murray Bushrangers, Greater Western Victoria Rebels, Northern Knights, Oakleigh Chargers, Sandringham Dragons, Tasmania Devils and Western Jets. 4 teams - Northern Territory, Giants Academy, Lions Academy and Swans Academy - play in invitation matches throughout the year against TAC Cup teams.
The "Dandenong Southern Stingrays" are currently under the leadership of Darren Flanigan (Region Manager) and Matthew Crozier (Female Operations Talent Coordinator) with the home base located at Shepley Oval, Dandenong. The side is coached by Nick Cox.
In 27 years the Dandenong Southern Stingrays have played in finals every year bar two.
HEAD TO HEAD
VERSUS |
PLAYED |
WON |
LOST |
DRAWN |
Bendigo Pioneers |
36 |
28 |
8 |
0 |
Calder Cannons |
40 |
18 |
22 |
0 |
Eastern Ranges |
45 |
29 |
16 |
0 |
Geelong Falcons |
48 |
20 |
27 |
1 |
Gippsland Power |
46 |
25 |
21 |
0 |
Gold Coast |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
GWS |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
GWV Rebels |
39 |
29 |
10 |
0 |
Murray Bushrangers |
41 |
22 |
19 |
0 |
Northern Knights |
51 |
28 |
22 |
1 |
Northern Territory |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
NSW/ACT |
16 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
Oakleigh Chargers |
36 |
24 |
12 |
0 |
Queensland |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Sandringham Dragons |
43 |
27 |
15 |
1 |
Tasmania |
13 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
Western Jets |
43 |
28 |
15 |
0 |
TOTAL |
504 |
307 |
195 |
3 |