BALLARAT Red Devils are hoping its youth team will be playing regular matches against the best youth league teams in Australia this summer.
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The McDonalds Reds have been in discussions with the Football Federation Australia for the past eight weeks about playing the A-League’s National Youth League (NYL) teams when they have the bye in their season.
If approved, they could be in line to play in the region of 10 matches from early November to the end of January against NYL teams that possibly include the likes Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory.
The new setup of the NYL competition means there will be two conferences of five teams, therefore creating the bye.
The other Conference is all the New South Wales teams.
Reds chairman Duncan Smith hopes Ballarat will be able to play the team that has the bye home and away.
“I have spoken with all the clubs and have been encouraged by what they have said to me, which is brilliant.”
It is expected an announcement will be made in the coming days.
“If this comes to fruition it will be without doubt the biggest and best thing that has happened to the Ballarat Red Devils in our almost 50 year history,” Smith said.
There are rules that allow 4 A-League players to compete in the Y-League, it is likely Ballarat will look at solely playing those under the age of 20.
