Academy selection / scouting network

[Big Dan]

how do Reading select kids to play for their academy?what sort of scouting network is there?
theo walcott played for Newbury in the south chiltern minor league,my mates son has been on trial with southampton recently,and somebody else i was talking to today,their boy has been going to chelsea.all of them played in local leagues,but havent been spotted by reading.
is there any way of contacting the club and recommending a player?

[meeky_no9]

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 06,00.html

this is the best place to go and you can contact shoreys dad.

[Big Dan]

thanks meeky

[AF1]

My bosses kid is in the acedemy.

From what I understand he got 'spotted' by the Academys Finance Director - whose son played in the same Sunday team. RFC came down and watched him in a couple of games and signed him up

[Tilehurst Born and Bred]

I think there are 3 levels...there is the development centre, the Elite team and the Academy. My lad got spotted at one of the Reading soccer schools and asked to go along to the development centre....he has done a couple of terms..every now and again the exceptional kids get sent to trials for the Academy. I did actually recommend a kid who was playing in my seven a side team last season...they had a look at him and invited him to the development centre....the coaching is good and I think my lad has got something out of it.

Normally if you ring the community coaches they might suggest the kid pitches up or if they have time they might agree might go and see him in a game....

[AF1]

I think it's also reasonable to say that once your kid does get in it takes a massive commitment on the part of the parents. For example my boss has to take his kid to a game in Cardiff on Sunday

[Barry the bird boggler]

RFC scouts will pop along to follow up any leads they receive by way of any recommendations made by post or email or words of mouth I am led to believe.

If a coach of a local junior team speaks/recommends kids to the club it will carry more weight obviously as supposedly they know a bit about the game!

[earley_royals]

Ring up the club and inform them and I'm sure they will come and have a look at him.

[Forbury Lion]

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 06,00.html

this is the best place to go and you can contact shoreys dad.

However if your a highly talented left back who may actually challenge Nicky Shorey for a first team place don't be surprised if he doesn't offer you a trial

[Harps stay sharp]

I run a local junior team.

We played some tournaments in the summer and got approached by Reading FC Scouts on several occasions. Also from Southampton and Chelsea at one event but not so common locally.

Reading also held an open trial in July at Hogwood Park. I believe there were kids there who had already been training with Chelsea & Southampton but were interested in Reading due to travelling.

They also have events throughout the year where they invite local clubs to play each other in front of their scouts etc.

As far as I am aware RFC are very active.