Future stars: Victoria’s championship double, top players from National Youth Championships

Victoria showed their footballing talent as the future stars of soccer made themselves known at the 2023 National Youth Championships. Check out the best 13 players from the week.

Football Victoria have cemented themselves as football powerhouses after a clean sweep of the U15 and U16 boys titles at the National Youth Championships in Sydney.

The tournament featured 440 of Australia’s best up and coming talent representing their states and territories, with over 330 goals scored across the five day event.

Victoria Blue took out the U15 championship with a convincing 3-0 win over Queensland White, with Aaron Cartwright netting a brace alongside a goal from teammate Daniel Matina.

The U16 final was a nailbiter, with only penalties able to separate Victoria Blue as champions over NSW Metro White after a 1-1 draw at the full time mark.

Check out all of the top performers from the 2023 National Youth Championships below.

Christian Polyzoudis (left) was named U16 Player of the Tournament after a championship winning National Youth Championships with Football Victoria. Photo: Damian Briggs

Christian Polyzoudis - Victoria Blue U16

Polyzoudis’ pivotal performance for Victoria Blue earned him Player of the Tournament honours. He only scored two goals throughout the competition, but his goal in the final against NSW White sent the match to penalties and eventually earned them the win.

Jordan Graoroski - NSW White U15

Graoroski netted 11 goals total throughout the competition, including a ridiculous five goals in the 8-0 win over the Northern Territory.

Harper Ryles - NSW Metro Blue U15

Ryles was a consistent goal scorer for NSW Metro Blue despite the team not making the finals, scoring four goals in seven games.

Noah Ellul - South Australia U15

After only conceding eight goals throughout the tournament, Ellul’s precision behind goal earned him goalkeeper of the tournament honours.

South Australia's Noah Ellul was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2023 National Youth Championships. Photo: Damian Briggs

Aaron Cartwright - Victoria Blue U15

Cartwright’s two goals in the grand final were the key behind the crazy 3-0 scoreline over Queensland White.

Alexander Houridis - Victoria Blue U15

Football Victoria claimed nearly all of the silverware with Houridis awarded Player of the tournament for the U15’s.

Alex Battistella - South Australia U16

Football South Australia frustratingly just missed out on a finals position, but Battistella shone throughout the competition. He netted two goals against NSW Metro Blue in the eventual 2-1 win.

David Bolongi starred for Queensland White's U15 team at the 2023 National Youth Championships. Photo: Damian Briggs

David Bolongi - Queensland White U15

Bolongi left his best performance to late in the tournament and it was spectacular, scoring all three goals in the 3-2 semi-final win over NSW Blue to send his team to the U15 grand final.

Max Naylor - Western Australia U15

Naylor scored seven goals across seven matches, including a brace during the 2-1 win over NSW Metro White.

Robert Cook - Western Australia U16

Western Australia narrowly missed out on the finals but Cook’s expertise behind goal were pivotal to the team’s fourth place finish and earned him Goalkeeper of the Tournament honours.

Dash Baker - Northern NSW U15

Baker was consistently in the mix during all seven games, Baker scored four goals including a double against Tasmania

Miles De Luca - Queensland Maroon U15

A Queensland scoring machine, De Luca netted seven goals during the tournament including a massive four against Tasmania on day one.

Michael Ghossaini - Victoria Blue U16

Ghossaini only played one full game during the tournament, often being subbed on or off for Victoria, but he made a major impact, scoring five goals during the pool stages including two braces.