I don't know if competitive football is the answer but one of the features on Icelandic football over the summer noted that the generation before trained infrequently in rough conditions whereas the generation of tomorrow train well in the indoor facilities and the type of player coming through is changing, more technically able but not able to grow a beard like Aaron. I think you need young players to have both the technical development but also something (perhaps competitive football) which gives them the toughness to survive in adult football.