How do I get into a soccer academy?

Are you considering enrolling your child in a soccer training center and wondering how much it might cost?
For many soccer enthusiasts, joining a training center in their quest to become a professional player is a real goal. Our soccer experts give you their best advice, and all the information you need to make this dream a reality.
Find out all about fees, integration procedures and selection criteria in our comprehensive guide!

Soccer academy: how much does it cost?

Here's all the information you need to know about the price ofa soccer training center:mlthough the economic situation in the world of professional soccer today may seem excessive, the annual cost for a family to support their child at a football academy is not as high as you might think.

Here's what training centers pay for:

• food and accommodation for budding footballers,
• payment of travel expenses for away matches,
• full equipment supplied to young apprentices throughout the year.

There is certainly an annual contribution to be made by parents, which will vary according to the prestige of the training center in question. This can range from 500 to 2,000 euros per year. In addition to the traditional pocket money, the cost of summer or vacation soccer courses can also be added, with rates varying between 300 and 1,500 euros per course, depending on the duration and reputation of the program.

However, the cost of a soccer academy is far less than the cost of daily life at home.

The hardest cost to bear for parents and children is often not financial, but psychological/moral, due to the distance from the family environment."

Training center recruitment: how does it work?

There are 37 soccer training centers in France. This means there's a lot of competition to make your dream come true. Most of the time, it's the clubs themselves who take the initiative in recruiting a young player.

The clubs initiate the recruitment process by observing young players at tournaments, local competitions or league matches.

Indeed, to ensure their long-term survival, clubs are obliged to achieve positive sporting results, so they know that this means recruiting young footballers who may one day join the professional team or be sold for a handsome sum of money.

The act of recruiting a young player is clearly an investment. Today's clubs have a whole network of scouts who go out to the pitches every weekend hoping to unearth the future talent of French soccer, as well as an extensive network of players' agents. You don't join a training center like you would a school, for example.

A youngster can be perceived as a marketable commodity at a very early stage, so it' s important for the family to always speak to a representative of a professional club, and to be wary of self-employed agents who are more interested in financial benefits and the price of a soccer academy.than the player's development.

Parents play a crucial role in this process. They must not only support their child, but also remain vigilant in the face of outside pressure. The world of soccer is one where financial interests can sometimes take precedence over a young player's personal development.

Coaches also play a vital role in this process. They are often the first to spot a player's potential and recommend him to scouts. Their opinion is generally taken into account by the scouts, as they have known the youngsters for a long time and can testify to their progress, their attitude in training and their behavior in matches.

What tests do I need to take?

In the past, selection tests at soccer training centers were very rigid, with simple technical tests such as 50 foot, left-foot or head juggles.

Today, methods are more diversified and modern, including complex technical assessments, tactical understanding of the game, and mental aspects.

Recruiters look at the following qualities:

• Mental qualities: Resilience, pressure management and concentration, assessed via psychological tests.
• Tactical understanding: Ability to read the game, anticipate opponents' moves and adapt to different playing systems.
• Advanced techniques: Assessment of passing accuracy under pressure, directed control and dribbling in tight spaces.

Scouts also use technology such as GPS tracking and video analysis to objectively measure young players' performance.

In addition to technical ability, recruiters are looking for players who can read the game well, are mentally resilient and can handle pressure. Examples of players who have succeeded in these processes include Bradley Barcola A.K.A the man Kylian Mbappé thinks he is, and Antoine Griezmann, who have stood out for their talent, game intelligence and mental strength.

But what about today?

Today, detection is less based on physical ability. In fact, this was a major flaw in French soccer between 2005 and 2015, as the best physical players were recruited, resulting in a definite drop in technical standards. On the contrary, nations such as Spain, which dominated world soccer for almost 6 years, emphasized technique.

We're seeing a change in this area in France, and we're going back to the very essence of soccer by analyzing :

• the ability to read the game
• technique
• understanding of the game
• the mental strength of young players to enter training centers.

How old do you have to be?

How do I join a professional soccer club? Most youngsters are recruited to training centers between the ages of 11 and 14, but earlier or later recruitments are by no means out of the question! There are a huge number of players who became professional footballers late in life, having been discovered late in life or having been turned down repeatedly.

Players such as:

Jamie Vardy was recruited by Leicester City at the age of 25, after playing in England's lower divisions. He only joined a professional academy at the age of 16, having been rejected by Sheffield Wednesday at 15.

Didier Drogba only joined a full-time training center at the age of 15, with Levallois SC in France. Before that, he played amateur soccer while studying.

Riyad Mahrez only entered a training center at the age of 18, when he joined Quimper in France. He was spotted late after playing for amateur clubs.

In any case, one of the most important virtues when it comes to the dream of becoming a professional player is patience and, above all, perseverance. Most of the great champions are known for their unfailing perseverance, never giving up and believing in their dreams.

In fact, we're talking about a "dream" because only 1 or 2 players in a generation make it into the professional world, which is a highly competitive environment.

What's the expected level?

To join a soccer academy, young players have to commit to intensive, regular training adapted to their position, working on technical and physical aspects. Taking part in regional or international tournaments allows them to measure themselves against the best and to be spotted by recruiters. Working with personal trainers can also accelerate progress by offering individualized follow-up.

It's also crucial to develop a competitive mentality, cultivating resilience and concentration under pressure.

It goes without saying that you have to be one of the best players in the region to hope to join a training center. Indeed, these are courses reserved for the elite of French soccer, designed to prepare the future stars of French soccer, so you clearly need to display a high level of practice to be able to integrate the few dozen footballers of your generation.

Training centers also promote values and principles specific to the collective and personal development of players. This is a key element in the training of soccer clubs, because all those who fail must be able to reorient themselves and develop professionally, which is why schooling must not be lost sight of.

How do I enroll or join a training center?

How do I join a professional soccer club?If your ambition is to become a professional footballer one day, andyou feel strong enough mentally and football-wise, then the first step is to approach soccer training centers. You should also try to take part in as many detections as possible. Indeed, detective days are an undeniable point of reference for recruiters from professional clubs.

Above all, a club is looking for young players who are mentallysound and have their feet firmly on the ground. Joining a soccer academy is not something to be taken lightly, as moving away from the family home and friends who are stable points of reference for a child can be difficult for some. It also represents a huge psychological investment, and many young players are not prepared for this.

This shows one essential thing: you have to remain humble, while never ceasing to believe in your ability to succeed, without putting yourself under enormous pressure. The family circle is very important in providing unwavering support for the child.

Here's an exhaustive guide to getting into a training center:

1. Finding a training center

Not all training centers are the same. Some specialize in particular age categories, or have specific admission criteria.

• List of training centers: Look for centers approved by soccer federations (such as those affiliated with the FFF in France).
• Find out about admission criteria: Each center has specific criteria based on the age, potential and aptitudes of the players.
• Geographical area: Choose a center close to where you live, or one that is willing to take in youngsters.

2. Registration for scouting days

Scouting days are events organized by clubs or training centers to identify new talent.

• Register for scouting days: Check club and center websites for scouting day dates.
• Take part in several scouts: Multiply the opportunities to showcase your talent by taking part in different scouts at various centers or academies.
• Prepare an application file: Some centers require you to submit an application file before the tests, with information about your background and performance.

3. Prepare a sports CV

A well-designed sports CV can be an asset in impressing recruiters.

• Information to include:
  • Your personal details (name, age, height, weight).
  • Your position on the field.
  • Your current club and previous teams.
  • Tournaments or competitions you've taken part in.
  • Your statistics (goals, assists, playing time).
  • Your sporting achievements and distinctions (top scorer, player of the match, etc.).
• CV formatting: Be clear and concise. Include videos of your matches if possible.

4. Take part in tests and assessments

Training centers generally organize entrance tests based on your technical skills, game intelligence and physical abilities.

• Types of tests :
  • Technical tests: Ball control, passing accuracy, control and shooting.
  • Physical tests: Sprinting, endurance, agility, strength.
  • Evaluation match: Recruiters often evaluate your performance in a real-life match.
• Attitude: Stay focused, respectful and positive.

5. Follow-up after detection

After the tests, you may be invited to join the center or put on a waiting list.

• Wait for results: Centers sometimes take time to review the performance of all candidates.
• Follow up if necessary: If you don't hear from the center after a certain time, don't hesitate to contact them for further information.

6. Signing an apprenticeship contract

If you are selected, you will be required to sign a contract with the training center.

• Types of contract: In France, young people can sign an aspirant contract or a trainee contract.
• Academic support: Most centers offer parallel academic training to ensure a balance between soccer and studies.

7. Integration into the training center

Once you've been accepted, it's time to prepare for this new stage in your life.

• Training plan: Strictly follow the training program provided by the center.
• Center life: If the center has accommodation facilities, you'll need to adapt to boarding school life.
• Medical and psychological follow-up: Centers often provide medical and psychological follow-up to ensure the proper development of young players.

Which are the 5 best training centers in France?

As we said earlier, a ranking of the best training centers is drawn up at the end of each season.

1- Stade Rennais FC - At the top of the ranking with 4.2 stars, Stade Rennais stands out thanks to promising talents such as Lesley Ugochukwu and Désiré Doué, recently integrated into the first team.

2- Olympique Lyonnais - Traditionally a leader in training, OL ranks second this year with 4.1 stars. Despite a slight drop, it remains a benchmark with players like Alexandre Lacazette and Houssem Aouar.

3- AS Monaco FC - With 3.7 stars, AS Monaco continues to shine thanks to its rigorous technical and academic training.

4- Paris Saint-Germain - PSG maintains its prestigious status thanks to its world-class infrastructure and talents such as Kingsley Coman.

5- Toulouse FC - Toulouse stands out this year for its holistic approach to training, climbing up the rankings.

These clubs have the 5 best training centers on the French scene.

Clear criteria are set, and these are not just soccer criteria. The academic results (Brevet des collèges, Baccalauréat, BTS) of young footballers are also taken into account, as are the quality of the infrastructure and the number of professional contracts signed at the end of the season.

How do I train to join a training center?

How do I get into a soccer academy?To stand out from the crowd in this hyper-competitive environment, it goes without saying that training is essential for a young player. To help you progress even further, Netsportique offers you a wide choice of sports equipment at guaranteed best prices. We have the right products for every position you occupy on the pitch, and for every aspect of the game you want to work on.

For goalkeepers :

• A wide range ofrebound net and reaction balls to work on reactivity.
• Aball launchers to work on your goal line.
• Adummies to work on those dreaded set-pieces.

For defenders:

• Someposts to work on the quality of their stances.
• Somehurdles to work on relaxation, essential for aerial play.
• Somemarkings for tactical positioning.

For midfielders :

• Somehoops for precise passing.
• Someball launchers to develop ball trajectory reading.
• Rhythm scales to work on coordination.

For strikers:

• Ashooting walls to be fixed on the goals to work on accuracy.
• Someball launchers to hone your aim in any situation.
• Arebound nets to work on ball control and reactivity.

For all players in general:

• A wide range of fitness andfitness and body-building for muscle toning.
• Fromhurdleshurdlesstudsandpostsandrhythm scales to work on coordination.
• Fromshooting wallsshootingrebound nets to work on technique.
• Someball throwers to work on skill in front of goal .

Realizing the dream of becoming a professional footballer is a long and competitive road. The player must have a stable family environment and be among the best regional players to have a chance of joining a soccer training center. That's why Netsportique wants to support you as much as possible in your quest for progress by offering you quality sports equipment and materials. We're convinced that with our products, you'll get the results you deserve, and thus have an extra chance of reaching your goal.