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CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (TRIALS) - 2026/27

Invitation Only

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The WLFC Centre of Excellence is for players who are ready to compete and show the attributes required to grow through their development and competitive phase of their football journey.

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Our aim is to provide a platform where children aged 6–16 can showcase their ability while receiving elite-level training.

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Entry Pathway:

  • 70% of players are selected from the WLFC Development Centre

  • 30% are recruited through:

    • WLFC Holiday Camps

    • Open Trials

    • External referrals (Club Manager / Coach)

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To be invited, players must:

✔ Twice a week training (minimum)

✔ Show commitment and a strong work ethic 

✔ Demonstrate a positive attitude to learning – be coachable

✔ Work well within a team

✔ Show good to excellent football ability

✔ Display the WLFC Lions Pillars consistently

 

PLAYER  GROUPING:

Category                            Age Focus                        Key Emphasis

Development Phase         Foundation years             Technical ability, confidence,

                                                                                       understanding

Competitive Phase           Older youth teams           Performance, positional

                                                                                       awareness, match competition

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For your child to be assessed, please book a trial.

Trials are for season 2026-27. Please ensure age group is for 2026-27 when completing trials form - 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2027

TRIALS DETAILS

AGE GROUP: U7 / U8 / U9 (current school year 1, 2 & 3)

DATE: Monday to Friday | from 27th July to 28th August

​TIME: 9am to 3pm

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Availability (U7)                    Availability (U8)                     Availability (U9)   

Assessment via                    Assessment via                     Assessment via                   

Holiday Camp                     Holiday Camp                      Holiday Camp

VOLUNTARY ROLE

AGE GROUP: U10 / U11 (current school year 4 & 5)

DATE: Monday to Friday | from 27th July to 28th August

​TIME: 9am to 3pm

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Availability (U10)                                Availability (U11)               

Assessment via                                  Assessment via

Holiday Camp                                   Holiday Camp

As a grassroots football club, we understand the important role that parents play in the successful running of a club. Therefore, we do not offer trials to any child/children without a parental voluntary role at the club. Any parent/guardian completing our trials form without a role will be rejected. Stripe admin fee will be deducted from any refund.

WHY A TRIAL FEE?

T​​o ensure we have parent/guardian completing the form, and the person completing form has a real interest in attending trials (no bots).

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Please read all trials information before completing form and making payment. All payment are non-refundable.

WHAT TO BRING

AGE GROUP: U12 / U13 (current school year 6 & 7) 

DATE: Every Sunday | from 23rd August to 6th September

​TIME: 10:30am to 1:30pm

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Availability (U12)                                Availability (U13)               

All Positions                                      Centre Back (ball playing)

                                                           Centre Mid (physical and technical)           

                                                           Striker

  • Brings appropriate football clothing for the weather. 

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  • Brings shin pads - contact sport.

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  • Brings footwear appropriate for football - astro trainers and/or moulded football boots. No metal studs/blades are permitted. 

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  • Brings plenty of fluids to keep her/him hydrated (no fizzy/energy drinks).​ 

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  • Bring the right attitude to learning and competing.​

AGE GROUP: U14 / U15 (current school year 8 & 9)

DATE: Every Sunday | from 23rd August to 6th September

​TIME: 10:30am to 1:30pm

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Availability (U14)                                              Availability (U15)               

Left Back                                                          Goalkeeper - priority signing 

Centre Mid (technical with intelligence)       Centre Back (ball playing) 

Winger                                                             Centre Mid (physical and technical)         

Striker                                                               Winger 

                                                                          Striker

LOCATIONS (all trials)

Wandle Recreation Centre / King Georges Park,

Mapleton Road,

SW18 4DN

AGE GROUP: U16 (current school year 10)

DATE: Every Sunday | from 23rd August to 6th September

​TIME: 10:30am to 1:30pm

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Availability (U16)                 

Goalkeeper - priority signing 

Right and Left Back                                                       

Centre Mid (physical and technical)    

Winger                                                                                                      

Striker                                                            

SUCCESSFUL TRIALIST

  • U7, U8, U9, U10, U11

     Tuesdays, 4:30pm - 5:45pm (mandatory training)

     Thursdays, 4:50pm - 6pm (mandatory training)​

     Fridays, 4:40pm - 5:40pm (optional training - futsal)​​​

  • ​U12, U13

      Tuesdays, 4:50pm - 6pm (mandatory training)

      Fridays, 5:50pm - 6:50pm (mandatory training - futsal)​

      Wednesday, 4:30pm - 5:50pm (optional training)

TEAM TRAINING SCHEDULE: ​

  • U14, U15,

      Tuesdays, 5:50pm - 7pm (mandatory training)

      Fridays, 5:50pm - 7pm (mandatory training)​

      Saturdays, 9:40am - 10:50am (optional training)

  • U18

      Wednesday, 6:50pm - 8pm (mandatory training)

      Saturdays, 11:30am - 12:45pm (mandatory training)

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​​​Successful trialist must be available to attend the above training days.

Location: Wandle Recreation Centre, Mapleto Road, SW18 4DN

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