Ballarat City is fast reloading its roster, with a number of the club's young guns recommitting for 2020.
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Leighon and Jordan Lauton are the latest two players to re-up with the program, which will enter the newly-formed National Premier League three competition next season.
They join a list which includes club leading goal-scorer Daniel Angeleski and Chudiar Tharjiath, who earned a training invitation from Melbourne City at the tail-end of last year.
Ballarat City head coach James Robinson said the players have recognised the benefits of returning to the club for another year.
"Last year was a solid building phase for these younger players to get experience," he said.
"Most of them got 20-25 games of senor men's football under their belt.
"That will be a great step to build upon, and to make sure they continue on that pathway."
Tharjiath was one of five Ballarat City players to turn heads of A-League scouts after showcasing elite potential in 2019.
After trotting out one of the youngest team's in the NPL2 competition last season, Robinson said the players grasped their on-field opportunities with both hands.
"For me the growth of all the players has been really noticeable for everyone to see," he said.
"They see the pathway and the opportunities in front of them, and their confidence has grown because they've had a taste of what it is."
Robinson unveiled a bold vision in September to transform Ballarat City into a representative team for Western Victoria.
He hoped to solidify Ballarat as a development pathway to elite football, and stop players in country areas from travelling to Melbourne to further their development.
"We have so much potential in this region," he said.
"The club's got a vision and has started to put some real foundation pieces in place. It's now about making sure we sustain and maintain that support."
