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World of Football All non Palace football talk - includes latest scores on Internationals and matches that affect palace. |
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#1
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How do kids get noticed by Academies?
What's the pathway for a kid to get into a football academy with the aim of becoming a pro?
Just wondering of any experiences out there? I can see that some clubs run open trials, there are some companies who have 'links' with academies and select a team to play them, some companies have a league and then select the best from the league to play against academies, some scouts turn up at local pitches. Is it a case that if they're good enough they'll be noticed or should the parent be doing more to ensure they learn and play at the highest level they can? |
#2
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Pretty sure you just try to play at the highest level from a young age and hope to get scouted via your team or any of the reasons above.
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#3
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Only one I know who been in academy was brought in from bromley think Bobby bowery was there at that time spose recommended to palace
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#4
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#5
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London and the regions may be different from my experience, but here goes.
Scouts look from the age of 4 or 5 and will often ask to attend training sessions etc. Then about 6, as teams start friendly galas and tournaments, they come to those. They don't often go to individual games unless they have a real recommendation. Then junior teams have invites to tournaments run by either the pro clubs or groups who look to recommend kids. So you need to be a good local club, well coached, making links and organised; there is no reason a kid can't get at least recognised from there. Individually kids can attend directly open days. Its useful to know what scouts tend to look at. Speed and balance/agility in younger kids, with a bit of something about them, maybe confidence, is the biggest seller. They say size isn't the factor it was, maybe. Yes, basic skills are great, but that can be taught more easily. Some specialist clubs now exist, they charge for training more, enter leagues even (though some leagues have banned them as non-community based) and claim to have links into pro clubs. My experience is that you are as likely to have some old faces at your normal junior ranks who have as many contacts but I wouldn't rule it out. The thing is, the kid needs to actually enjoy the football; not that many kids seem to stick around those sort of organisations for long. School representation teams tend to start a bit later and scouts still do have a look there but the concentration really is on younger kids. That really isn't to stop them trying later - kids going onto school and borough/county teams get looked at by semipro teams etc. I'm a bit jaded by it all (as is my son at the world weary age of 15). He is now after many years far happier playing with his various mates, at a really good level on Saturdays and a crappy level on Sundays, then he was at the academies. But give it a go.
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God's own county - Kent. |
#6
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Sadly this happens more often than not now. The demands and unnecessary over pressurising of children in football is wrong in my eyes. They're far too ruthless in their approach and should have more of a duty of care for even in the case where they're not deemed good enough.
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"I'm a South London boy and Crystal Palace is my club" Clinton Morrison |
#7
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In this country unless you live in a real back water and the child is at a reasonable standard club he will be watched by scouts probably several times. I would say at younger ages in the South East no stone is left unturned. A lot of private academies are a good standard for kids to play at these days (by private I mean ones you pay for) and boys can train with them while continuing with their Sunday team. They usually have an all abilities session and the best players are invited in to an elite session on another evening. Most are run by pro club academy coaches anyway so you get top level youth coaching but without the pressure of the academy environment.
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#8
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My view is pretty simple. If you have a child that loves playing football and wants to be as good at it as possible then you should make sure you find them the best coaching possible. They won't turn pro but that way you are at least giving them the chance to become as good at the game as possible. If you have a child that is good but simply wants to do it for fun then let them choose where they are happiest. I see the difference all the time my son for example is much more happy just playing. He's decent and has been with an academy but ultimately he isn't exceptional and even the idea of playing for one of the more serious grassroots outfits turns him off. However his close mate is the opposite... very similar levels of ability but he is driven and desperate to play for the best grassroots club possible and win matches. Much like not every school suits every kid not every approach to playing football does. |
#9
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I Believed.......In Calvin Andrew |
#10
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This is where we are at 14. Now playing in the JPL, the league between Academy and grass roots, doing well, not stressed, enjoying it more. Still plays against academies once a 1/4, so still being stretched.
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Real Madrid: 2 Surreal Madrid: Fish Member of the Magnificent 16 29th May 2004 Member of the Magnificent 1007 22nd May 2006 Member of the Magnificent 33000 27th May 2013 Member of the Strange Aircraft Clique 16th December 2018 |
#11
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#12
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Some good posts here.
I had a chance at 15 to take the step up, but wasn't taking football that seriously, and had more interest in Palace than playing. Did a Goalkeeping coaching thing with Millwall and then got invited to train with them which I didn't take up. Got signed Semi Pro in goal at a relative young age (for a keeper), but didn't have the urge to train 2 to 3 times a week, and my availability for games was terrible (mainly based on when Palace weren't playing). And then ended up playing on Sunday's with my mates when I was told not too. Promptly broke my ribs and was out for 2 months. Had my dad pushed me a bit then I maybe would have played to a semi decent level but personally, I'm glad he didn't (though at 17 he did suggest I have a year off Palace and make a go of it, which I probably should have!). A couple of my mates used to play with Christian Jolley who did alright for himself at AFC Wimbledon. Even up to 15/16 he wasn't really that good and was on the bench for a pretty poor team. I'm talking Sunday league standard, but he was hellbent on making the most of the his talent and would work harder than anyone else in training and then stay after to work on his heading or shooting. Sure there are better examples.
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Putting the sensual in non-consensual |
#13
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A lot of scouts have networks, so they know a lot of people including grassroots football managers, coaches, parents etc. They recommend them a kid to look at, they come down watch them and see if they think they're good enough then offer a trial. That's just one way.
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'It would be boring if they won every time right?' If we can winter this one out, we can summer anywhere |
#14
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Thanks for some great thoughts and advice.
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My son's coach is currently considering entering the JPL for next season, a year prior to when the club usually enters a team. |
#15
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__________________
Real Madrid: 2 Surreal Madrid: Fish Member of the Magnificent 16 29th May 2004 Member of the Magnificent 1007 22nd May 2006 Member of the Magnificent 33000 27th May 2013 Member of the Strange Aircraft Clique 16th December 2018 |
#16
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There are also a lot of academies out there that aren't specifically linked to a club, and lots of local clubs have links to the likes of Palace, Millwall, Charlton etc.
Pick up academy, Volenti (run by Bobby Bowry), Kinetic, Junior Elite FC, Phoenix Academy
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'It would be boring if they won every time right?' If we can winter this one out, we can summer anywhere |
#17
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#18
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And there are clubs where kids are parked so that clubs can keep an eye on them.
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#19
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I find quite a lot of these clubs are money making schemes however, Sports Focus are another that claim to set up kids to academies etc when in actual fact the bloke who runs it Mr Booth is a wrongun.
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"I'm a South London boy and Crystal Palace is my club" Clinton Morrison |
#20
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The thing is children peak at all different ages from 7-18. I personally see no harm in pro clubs having a B and C team which creates a more expressive environment and can allow better opportunity for children to develop better. I find the gap between academy football and grass roots football to big. So many different rules and exceptions where it should all be the same in my eyes. Like for instance parents can't shout at academy football whereas grass roots they can. The coaching requirements are a massive gap between the two and facilities are obviously much, much different.
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"I'm a South London boy and Crystal Palace is my club" Clinton Morrison |
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