The premier under-20 players from the ACT, as well as a handful of over-age players, face their first test when they take on the Newcastle Jets' National Youth League (under-20) team at the AIS on Monday night.

The Youth United program was established earlier this year to create a pathway for talented juniors to take the next step in their careers, using the $150,000 of foundation funds left over from the unsuccessful A-League for Canberra bid. Training will continue year-round, with negotiations under way to organise matches against other NYL teams.

Capital Football's technical director Warren Grieve has been casting an eye over the region's young talent during the National Premier League season, and has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

''Since the NPL season started it has given me the chance to see players in their own environment, both in the 20s and first grade,'' Grieve said.

''It's given me a great insight into the quality of the players in the ACT at the under-20s level.

''Many will agree there's been a gap, especially on the male side in terms of going on to the next level.

''All we're trying to do is to provide opportunities for our most talented players in the ACT to go on to the next level for national progression off the back of the A-League for Canberra bid. This is where Youth United comes in.

''It will be an out-of-season program, get the better players in the ACT 12 months of year-round football, which is what they need to go on to the next level.''

The ACT has a strong reputation of producing players who have risen to the professional ranks. Socceroos young gun Tom Rogic plied his trade in the NPL before breaking through with the Central Coast Mariners, and has now gone on to European giant Celtic.

Tuggeranong United junior Nikolai Topor-Stanley starred for the Western Sydney Wanderers and has been selected for the A-League All Stars team.

In Canberra NPL games this weekend, Cooma Tigers will be desperate to keep in touch with the top four when they host Belconnen United at Nijong Oval on Saturday.

On Sunday, Canberra Olympic entertains Canberra City, Monaro Panthers take on the AIS at Riverside Stadium and Tuggeranong United squares up with Woden Valley at Kambah.

YOUTH UNITED SQUAD: 1. Evan Alexandrow-Ridley (Woden Valley), 2. Milan Popovich (Belconnen United), 3. Nathan Evans (Canberra FC), 4. Nathan Tidmarsh (Canberra Olympic), 5. Jonathon Toole (Monaro Panthers), 6. Ryan Keir (Canberra FC), 7. Aaron Evans (Canberra FC), 8. Josh Gaspari (Canberra Olympic), 9. Jordan Tsekenis (Senior NTC), 10. Jason Ugrinic (Woden Valley), 11. Regan Walsh (Woden Valley), 12. Thomas Milicevic (Senior NTC), 13. Nikolas Popovich (Senior NTC), 14. Pepe Varga (Monaro Panthers), 15. Connor Nolan (Woden Valley), 16. James Field (Canberra FC), 17. Nick Bobolas (Canberra Olympic).