Football Victoria's (FV) TIDC Boys State Championships wrapped up last weekend at Darebin International Sports Centre (DISC) on Saturday, April 27.
The Championships were held over two weeks, with the group stages played under lights on April 20 and the finals being held a week later.
FV Technical Director, Boris Seroshtan said the State Championships are more than "just a competition."
"The State Championships are essential for the development and evaluation of talent within FV," he explained.
"This year, we've seen not just an increase in physical and technical skills among the players, but also significant improvements in their decision-making abilities.
"These Championships offer a practical setting for athletes to demonstrate their abilities, challenging them to perform under pressure and progress not only their immediate skills but also their strategic thinking.
"This kind of environment is crucial for their growth in the sport."
FV Talent Development Manager, Sean Gale said the State Championships provide a platform for all TIDC Metro and Regional Talent ID Programs to compete within teams based in Victoria.
This gives FV Technical staff individual player insights in a team structure, with players exposed to different playing styles & positions within the FV philosophy," he added.
The TIDC program aims to develop the independence of the players in the program, insights from the State Championships will influence the themes for the next training block.
Over 400 players took part in the Championships, ranging from ages U13-16.
The match play over the two weekends was played in good spirits with 23 match officials participating.