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Ballarat is set to become a feeding ground for A-league talent scouts. Western United FC have revealed plans to create a Y-League team for the 2020-2021 season. The under-23 development squad will serve as a feeder team for the club's A-League side, and will draw from a catchment area which includes Ballarat. Western United director of football Steve Horvat said the club intended to base talent-ID squads around Ballarat and Geelong so they could watch local-league games. READ MORE: ALEX BAKER AND JALIL REGAGUE SHOWCASE TALENT WITH BRISBANE ROAR READ MORE: THARJIATH SEIZES OPPORTUNITY FOR MELBOURNE CITY READ MORE: LAUTON BROTHERS OFF TO TRIAL WITH PERTH GLORY He said the establishment of a Y-League program and subsequent youth academy would ensure elite players from Western Victoria will have an avenue to professional football. "There's no doubt that bigger centres like Ballarat and Geelong will provide a pathway for players and we'll base talent ID squads in those regions to make sure we don't miss out on the best talent that's out there," he said. "We see all of our catchment as anything this side of the West Gate Bridge." Horvat said the biggest obstacles when trying to attract elite talent was cost and travel. He said parents often drove three-hour round trips so their kids had access to the best training programs. "For us, basing talent-ID squads in Geelong and Ballarat, and having our own facility in Western Melbourne - it will be a much easier trek for talented players," he said. Horvat said the club's youth academy, set to come online in 2021, would feature programs for players aged 9-16. He said as the game expanded, opportunities would increase for players to get a good level of coaching. "I've seen a lot of junior tournaments in regional Victoria and I have no doubt there is untapped talent throughout the region," he said. Ballarat City senior head coach James Robinson said the establishment of a Y-League team would be a great thing for Western Victoria. He said it would create a process for players to rise up and meet the 'challenge.' "This is an opportunity for every individual. It gives that clear and concise pathway and that's a great sign for football," he said. 2019 saw a number of high-end Ballarat players earn trials with A-League clubs. It also saw former Ballarat City player Brandon Lauton become the first locally-bred player to play in the A-League, after making his debut with Melbourne Victory. READ MORE: BRANDON LAUTON IN THE MIX FOR A-LEAGUE DERBY READ MORE: BALLARAT CITY REVEALS PLANS TO BECOME DEVELOPMENT HUB "Brandon started in the Ballatat District Soccer Association, then the premier league, then A-League, so I think what that allows us to say is that we have players in the region with ability." Western United committed to play four home games in Ballarat during the 2019-2020 Hyundai A-League season. The club will play its next game in the city on Sunday February 16 against Brisbane Roar at Mars Stadium. Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.

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