Football trial checklist

Before the trial

Confirm the details in writing if you can, so there is no mix up on the night.

• The date, arrival time and finish time
• The venue and which entrance or field to use
• The age group your child is trialling for, and their birth year
• Whether the trial is on grass or a hard surface
• A name and number for the person coordinating the trial

What to bring

Ask the club what it provides before you pack the bag.

• Boots, shin pads and a water bottle
• A spare shirt or training top, and a towel if rain is likely
• Any medication your child needs, and a word with the coach about it
• A ball only if the club asks players to bring one

Questions to ask the club

The trial is also your chance to check whether the club suits your family.

• Which nights and times does the team train?
• Where do home games and away games usually take place?
• What are the season fees, and what do they cover?
• How are players told the outcome, and when?
• Who do we contact if we have not heard anything?

On the day

Arrive with time to sign in and warm up. Let the coach know your child's name and position if they ask, and remind your child that the trial is a chance to play, not a test to pass. Coaches usually want to see how a player moves, listens and works with the group.

After the trial

Clubs do not always reply the same night, especially when they are comparing a full squad. If the club gave you a date to expect news, wait for it, and follow up with the contact you were given if that date passes. In the meantime, keep looking: more trials open as the season gets closer.