Western United guns in National Youth Championships squads

Western United young guns will take centre stage with 16 of the Club’s best young talents selected for the National Youth Championships (NYC) in July.

After the Green and Black had 10 representatives at last year’s national meet, the increased number in 2024 is yet another testament to the work of the staff and players across the entire Western United Academy program.

With three teams in each age group representing Victoria, United has multiple players in each squad that will be looking to make their mark.

Two of those in Karl Leban (Victoria Silver U16), Anderson Back and Anthony Didulica (Victoria Blue U16) are heading to the NYC for the second straight year having competed in the Under 15’s category last year.

*Anderson Back returns to the State Championships for the second year in a row*

A second straight selection is another in a growing list of recognitions for Didulica, who is currently in camp with the Joeys at the ASEAN U-16 Boys’ Championship.

Western United Academy Director Anthony Frost congratulated all players for their selections and highlighted the ongoing success of the Club’s elite development environment.

“Our ambition to provide the best possible experience for our players is strengthened by these selections and we are immensely proud that each player has the opportunity to represent the Club on a national stage,” he said.

“We are still only a year and a half into the existence of our Junior Academy program and it fills me with such satisfaction to see the hard work of all of our staff, coaches and players being rewarded.

“I am very much looking forward to watching the progress of all of our boys at the tournament and continuing to develop the Western United Academy as an ideal location for young players to develop and achieve their football goals.”

The NYC will see teams across every Australian state and territory compete in Under 15’s and Under 16’s categories held in Wollongong from Tuesday 16 July to Sunday 21 July.

Everyone at Western United congratulates each player that has been selected and will look forward to keeping an eye on their progress at the tournament.