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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 by completing form (below).

TRIALS (AGE GROUP & DATE)

AGE GROUP: U7 / U8 / U9 (school year 2, 3 or 4 from September)

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

AGE GROUP: U10 / U11 (school year 5 or 6 from September)

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

AGE GROUP: U12 / U13 (school year 7 or 8 from September) 

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

                                                           Centre Midfielder          

                                                           Striker

AGE GROUP: U14 / U15 / U16 (school year 9, 10 or 11 from September)

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

​TIME: 10:30am to 1:30pm

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Availability (U14)                Availability (U15)                   Availability U16)          

Left Back                             Left/Right Back                    Goalkeeper

Centre Midfielder              Centre Back                          Centre Back

Winger                                Centre Midfielder                Winger

Striker                                  Winger                                  Striker

                                             Striker

LOCATIONS (all trials)

Wandle Recreation Centre / King Georges Park,

Mapleton Road,

SW18 4DN

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 FORM

WHY A TRIAL FEE?

T​​he fee is to ensure we have parent/guardian completing the form and not a minor (child under age 18), and to ensure 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.

VOLUNTARY ROLE

As a grassroots football club, we understand the important role that parents/guardian 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.

WHAT TO BRING

  • 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.​

SUCCESSFUL TRIALIST (TRAINING DAYS)

  • Under 7 & 8 |, Under 9 | Under 10 | Under 11

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

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

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

  • ​Under 12 | Under 13

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

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

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

TEAM TRAINING SCHEDULE: ​

  • Under14 | Under 15 | Under 16

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

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

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

  • Under 17 | Under 18

      U17 1 Saturdays, 1:30am - 3pm (mandatory training)

      U18 - Wednesday, 6:50pm - 8pm (mandatory training)

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

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

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