Promising Young Footballers and Professional Clubs

Introduction

• AFC Henley encourages player development and provides opportunities for selected players to attend trials with, or play for, professional clubs.
• AFC Henley already has close links with the category 'A' Academy at Reading FC, but this does not rule out links with other professional clubs. We simply encourage local players to go for a trial at Reading FC first, if we consider they are up to the required standard.
• Professional Youth football has recently undergone changes as part of a new campaign, which aims to enhance Premier League Youth football by increasing the number and quality of home-grown players.
• All professional clubs have now been categorised in the range 1 - 4. Reading FC are in the top Category 1, alongside Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bolton, Blackburn, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham and Wolves.
What if a player gets scouted or approached?[list]
• Scouts are not permitted to approach players or parents direct; they should only speak to the age group manager or coach. Managers must ask to see ID cards before any discussions take place.
• If age group managers or coaches have been approached, our Reading coaches will be informed and given the scout’s details. They will then obtain all the information and contact the player’s parents.
• If a player or their parents are approached directly, scouts should be directed to the player’s manager. Our Reading coaches should also be notified immediately.

Other academy facts

• Academies are permitted to sign children up and put them under contract from the beginning of the season in which they turn 9.
• Players under contract are not allowed to play for any grassroots team. Younger age groups can also be approached but will not be contracted and can still play for their grassroots teams.
• A signed player’s club must be within 90 minutes travel time of the player’s home address.
• Academy football is a huge commitment, usually involving 3-4 training sessions/games per week.