Melbourne Victory is searching for generation next, launching a series of statewide talent identification camps, including a visit to Wodonga through its partnership with Murray United.

The A-League giants will bring a number of coaches to the region next month as part of a newly established player development pathway.

Victory’s pre-academy centre will provide a specialist program for eight to 12-year-olds, but the club will also keep a close eye on older age groups.

Head coach of Victory’s player development program Jamie Monteith is pleased the club can start to offer regional kids the same opportunities.

“Anything new has its roadblocks every now and then, but, ultimately, this is a long-term vision for us,” Monteith said.

“It’s about trying to have a footprint in these regional areas for years to come.

“This is the broader spectrum of being able to dissect what’s on offer and give clean, precise information in regards to what young people may need to work on.

“Hopefully, if they aren’t successful with us, they go back and they’re better players and better people, so they can then educate the young people in their teams.”

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Murray United technical director Adam Carty has been impressed with Victory’s commitment to identifying potentially talented players.

“I think this is the first time such a club has made a commitment to actively do this regionally,” Carty said.

“I’m not talking about camps or clinics, I’m talking about actively taking an interest in potentially talented players and developing a mechanism whereby their progress can be tracked.

“The likes of Seb Pasquali, Josh Kennedy and Archie Thompson’s potential wasn’t identified in the region, they all had to move to a city to have their talent identified.

“More recently Alec Mills (with Melbourne City) might be an exception as we were in continuous contact with clubs about him.

“On top of this will be the support our coaches will get interacting with professional coaches.”

Victory will conduct player development trials at La Trobe in Wodonga on February 15 and 16.