Football trials in North West London
Let's be honest about the word "trial". For a child it sounds like an exam they could fail. For a parent it sounds like watching your son or daughter get judged, and possibly turned away.
That is not what happens here.
We're not standing on the touchline looking for the best player on the pitch. We're working out where your child fits, what they enjoy, and what they'd need from us to get better. NOBODY GETS CUT at the end of a session and sent home.
If a child isn't ready for a competitive squad yet, we'll tell you honestly and put them where they'll actually develop — not turn them away at the gate. EVERY CHILD GETS A PROPER LOOK, and every child leaves having played football.
What actually happens on the day
Your child joins a normal session. That's deliberate — we want to see them playing, not performing.
You're met, not processed
A coach greets you both by name, introduces your child to two or three players, and gets them moving with a ball. No standing on the side wondering what to do.
They just train
Warm-up and technical work alongside everyone else. We're watching how they move, how they listen, and whether they're enjoying themselves.
Small-sided games
This is where we learn the most — decisions under pressure, how they react to a mistake, and whether they talk to teammates they met an hour ago.
We talk to you
A short, honest conversation about what we saw, which group would suit them, and what we'd work on first. No sales pitch, no decision needed on the spot.
Who can come along
- Boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. Sessions are grouped by age and ability, so nobody is out of their depth or standing around bored.
- Any level. Children who have never played for a club are as welcome as ones who've been playing for years.
- Children who aren't sure. If yours is nervous, tell us before you arrive and we'll pair them up with someone from the start.
- Families already in a club. You're welcome to come and see how we do it before deciding anything.
We compete in the Harrow Soccer Combination, with squads also playing select JPL fixtures — so there's real competitive football for players who want it, and a proper development path for those who aren't there yet.
Where and when
Trials run inside our normal weekly sessions, so you can come to whichever suits you.
Stanmore
Tuesdays 6:30–8:00pm · Fridays 5:30–7:00pm
Avanti House School, Wemborough Road, Stanmore HA7 2EQ. Our main base, easily reached from Edgware, Harrow, Queensbury and Kingsbury.
Colindale
Wednesdays 6:30–8:00pm
St James' Catholic High School, Great Strand, NW9 5PE. Floodlit 11-a-side 3G with its own car park — ideal for families in Colindale, Mill Hill and Burnt Oak.
What to bring
- Football boots or trainers, shin pads, and a water bottle
- Whatever they're comfortable playing in — NO CLUB KIT NEEDED
- Nothing else. Balls, bibs and equipment are all provided
- Yourself, if you'd like to watch. Most parents do, and we'd rather you did
The trial session is free. NOTHING TO PAY, and no obligation to come back.
What happens afterwards
You go home and think about it. That's it.
If your child enjoyed it and you'd like them to continue, we'll talk you through joining and which group they'd start in. Every squad player then gets an Individual Development Plan — so from their first month you can actually see what they're working on and how they're progressing.
If it isn't right for them, that's genuinely fine. We'd rather a child found the right club than stayed at the wrong one.
Questions parents usually ask
Is my child good enough?
It's the question every parent asks and almost nobody says out loud. The honest answer: we coach children across a wide range of ability, and the ones who improve fastest are rarely the ones who looked best on day one. Come along and let us worry about it.
What if they don't know anybody?
Nearly nobody does on their first night. Our coaches pair new players up deliberately, and small-sided games mean they're talking to teammates within minutes.
Can I stay and watch?
Please do. All we ask is that the coaching is left to the coaches during the session — children can't listen to two people at once.
What if my child changes their mind halfway through?
Then they sit with you and watch, and there's no fuss made about it. It happens, and it's usually nerves rather than a verdict on football.
Do you take players mid-season?
Yes, subject to space in their age group. You don't have to wait for September.
How much does it cost to join?
Fees depend on which sessions your child attends, and we offer discounts for families with more than one child at the club. We also reserve places for families facing financial difficulty. Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer — no pressure attached.
Come and play
Pick a session, turn up, and let your child have an hour of football with us. You can decide everything else afterwards.
Book a free trial sessionMessage us and we'll get back to you, usually the same day. PLACES PER AGE GROUP ARE LIMITED.