Recruitment and Development

Trials have already taken place for this year. Trial dates for the 2008 intake will be announced here nearer the time.

How to get a Trial

To become a member of the centre of excellence you need to be identified in one of the following ways:

Open trials are held once a year. These have to be booked by way of an application form but will be available to any girl who applies in the right age groups. Once set, trial dates will be advertised on this website.

Trials have already taken place for this year. Trial dates for the 2008 intake will be announced here nearer the time.

You can download a trial application by clicking on the word icon in the top left-hand corner.

Once complete, please return the form by email to deb.browne@cafc.co.uk, by fax to 020-8333 4001 or by post to: Women's centre of excellence trials, The Valley, Floyd Road, London SE7 8BL.

Trials are also given to promising youngsters who have been spotted by one of the club's scouts or by a member of the Charlton community scheme's coaching staff who watch and coach players throughout the school holidays. Find out more about the community scheme here.

After the trial:
Girls successful at trial will be offered a place at the centre of excellence. Those players showing potential but not yet ready for this level may be offered a place at the Charlton development centre, which is overseen by coach Marcus Digby.

Players at the development centre can make the transition to the centre of excellence after taking part in tournaments designed to assess development.

To date 14 players have progressed from the development centre to the centre of excellence programme.

Players that have been selected will be schooled in:
Technique - from the basics and fundamentals of pass, control, and move etc.

Tactics - a tactical education with the introduction and use of varying systems and patterns of play both in attack and defence.

Condition - Staff will provide programmes that will build up speed, strength and flexibility for the appropriate age groups.

The route to success:
It is not enough to just be a good footballer. Every player selected has talent otherwise they would not be at the centre of excellence. To make it through to the highest levels of the game players need that something extra. Dedication, focus, mental toughness and a burning will to succeed. Players will also need to the ability to shut out outside distractions.

There is no secret formula to producing top-class players but we will give every girl the opportunity to maximise her potential to reach the highest level they can, whether that is the Premier League National Division and international recognition or Division One or Combination Leagues.