Dominic Ball’s painful recollection of his football academy rejection is unfortunately an all too common experience of the current system in England (‘I was numb’: the pain of release by an academy and what football can learn, 2 June). But many youngsters receive crushing blows even before they join an academy, as they try to enter via often brutal and impersonal trials organised by clubs.
If your child is not “lucky” enough to be spotted by a scout at a grassroots match, then to get into an academy they must attend an open trial, often with 50 or 60 other children, and somehow miraculously stand out during a one-hour session. The lucky few are pulled to one side while the rest trudge off the pitch dejected, feeling wrongly that they have let themselves and their families down.
The problem is exacerbated in the girls’ game. Whereas most boys will, by an early age, have played a significant number of hours in the park, the playground or the street, girls predominantly rely on structured playing opportunities to develop. There is therefore a huge difference in experience levels between girls of similar ages. Some have played since the age of six or seven in local clubs, while others have played only a handful of matches by the age of 10 or 11, so are at a huge disadvantage, regardless of inherent ability.
Despite this, the same brutal assessments are dished out, often in front of the young players. Many coaches are genuinely passionate about coaching at junior level and therefore more compassionate. Others, however, lack the empathy required with youngsters.
Dominic Ball was fortunate to have a solid support network to navigate him through the tough times. Not all are so lucky, and the impact and manner of the rejection can be devastating.
Stephen Woods
London
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