Young players are drawing attention at the ongoing "Wuyue Cup" Zhejiang Provincial City Football League, reflecting the province's expanding pool of soccer talent.

Data from the organizing committee show that students account for about 44.6 percent of the 619 players in this year's tournament, the largest share among all groups.

The growth is underpinned by a stronger youth training system. Across Zhejiang, different training models have developed in parallel, with support from government bodies, companies, schools, and clubs helping to build a more coordinated development structure.

Zhejiang FC, one of the earliest professional clubs in China to invest in youth development, now runs full age-group teams from under-9 to under-20. Players such as Cheng Jin, Zhang Yuning, and Wang Yudong have emerged from its system.