Academy Trial Process

We will simply ask for the following information, so it may be a good idea to eMail the below to RayLeahy@LeadScout.Co.UK or Text to 07849910151.

1. Your Name & Association with Player & Club (If Any). (This can be kept anonymous if preferred)

2. Club Name, Age Group, League & Division. (Can be School, District or County Etc.)

3. Head Coaches Name & Contact details.

4. Players Name, Playing Position & DoB. (Feel free to include any other information you think is relevant)

5. Details of clubs fixtures. (At least next 2-3 Fixtures, but if possible for the next month or two)

6. Location of fixtures, and Kick Off times.

1. The scout (unless otherwise directed) will attend the ground before kick off and if possible introduce themselves to the relevant coaches.

2. Failing this the scout (if interested in a player) will introduce himself to the players coach after the game is finished.

   • Here the scout will provide contact details,

   • Ask the coach either permission to speak to the players parents there and then

   • or if the coach/club policy dictates ask the coach to forward the scouts details to the players parents. 

3. In-between introductions, the scout will watch the fixture and players of interest, taking in the relevant information and notes to enable a player report to be written.

1. In the first instance the scout will complete Q2 above.

2. Once communication has been established with all parties and in particular the players parents.

   • The player will be invited into the Crystal Palace Football Academy to play in our SHOWCASE team for his age group.

The CPFC Showcase teams process takes place prior to an actual academy trial and provides an opportunity for players whom scouts believe have real potential to showcase their skills and abilities directly to academy coaches and senior academy staff. It’s a chance for these players to prove they belong at a Category One academy before facing the pressure and anxiety of an official academy trial.

This process gives players the opportunity to demonstrate their potential, even if they are not quite ready for Category One academy football, without being prematurely exposed to the academy team. It allows them to remain with their grassroots club while continuously improving. With the experience gained from playing in a professional environment, players can develop new tools, ideas, and motivations to elevate their game.

In contrast to an academy trial, where failure often means the end of that opportunity, the showcase offers a more flexible pathway. If a player is ready, that's fantastic. But if they show potential without being fully ready, the showcase process allows them to go away, improve, and potentially be called back at a later stage in their football development.

That's a simply one, all they need to do is prove it in a Showcase Fixture.

1. The fixtures normally take place late on a Sunday afternoons, at the CPFC Academy Training Ground.

2. This means that players can still play with their grassroots teams earlier that day.

3. Players will play in teams of the same age, with players also scouted with similar potential.

4. Fixtures are on firm ground 4G football pitches.

5. The player Parents/Guardians are welcome to spectate.

6. After the showcase, players are spoken to by coaches and staff.

   • Parents are updated via eMail.

   • The eMail will detail what happens next.

1. The offer of a full Academy Academy Trial at CPFC.

2. A Request to return to the Showcase Team.

   • This can be continuous for a specific period.

   • This can be due to staff feeling a player is very close, needs to play with better players to develope or simply staff are undecided or divided on where the players current levels are.

3. Told to return to grassroots club and continue to develope.

Whatever happens, CPFC scouts will be keeping tabs on the player throughout their youth career, feedback can be given on request from your scout, which should include areas of development, along with areas of strength.

You simply provide your details, next 2-3 games, including location and kick off time etc. and I will endeavour to get down to watch the player/team play at least two games. You can provide the relevant details HERE or by looking at Q1 above and sending the information to;

eMail RayLeahy@LeadScout.Co.UK or Text to 07849910151.

Again and as in Q8 above.....
You simply provide your details, next 2-3 games, including location and kick off time etc. and I will endeavour to get down to watch the player/team play at least two games. You can provide the relevant details HERE or by looking at Q1 above and sending the information to;

eMail RayLeahy@LeadScout.Co.UK or Text to 07849910151.

Again and as in Q8 above.....
You simply provide your details, next 2-3 games, including location and kick off time etc. and I will endeavour to get down to watch the player/team play at least two games. You can provide the relevant details HERE or by looking at Q1 above and sending the information to;

eMail RayLeahy@LeadScout.Co.UK or Text to 07849910151.

If you have any other questions, or want more details on the questions/information above, please don't hesitate to contact Ray direct on the details below.

eMail: rayleahy@leadscout.co.uk

Mobile: 07849910151