Central Victoria's football community is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old player who died after becoming unresponsive during a game on Saturday.
Police said emergency services were called to reports of an unresponsive boy at the Mollison Street football field in Kyneton around 12:20pm.
Police said the 17-year-old boy, who was from Castlemaine, was taken to hospital where he later died.
Police said the exact circumstances of his death were yet to be determined but it was not being treated as suspicious.
The ABC understands the boy was a player for Castlemaine Football Club, which was playing against Kyneton on Saturday.
In a post on social media, the football club indicated its members were gathering on Saturday afternoon "to provide a safe space to be together at this difficult time".
Other football clubs from the local league expressed condolences on social media.
South Bendigo FNC said it extended its "thoughts and deepest sympathy to all at the Castlemaine Football Netball Club, especially the family at this sad time".
"It is unfortunate times like this where our club and the entire Bendigo Football Netball League comes together and supports each other," the club said.
The Bendigo Football and Netball League said it was devastated following "the tragic passing of one of the Castlemaine Football Netball Club under 18 players".
"The club and league's first priority is providing and facilitating support for the family, friends, teammates and coaches of the player," the league said.
