There are many football academies in South Africa. Soccer trials are good ways for clubs and academies to scout for and recruit talent. Because of that, these football schools hold trials regularly.
Here is a list of top upcoming soccer trials by various South African teams in 2023.
1. Saints FC Soccer Trials in South Africa
Saints FC is a football club based in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
It has a seniors’ side that competes in the NAFA Premier League. They also have a juniors’ side with under 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 teams.
The team held soccer trials for under-17 and under-19 teams. The trials took place Saturday, December 2, 2023 (from 11.00 AM) at the club facilities in Port Elizabeth.
The requirements are:
- Be born between 2007 and 2008 (for under 17 team) and 2005 and 2006 (for under 19 team)
- Copy of the birth certificate.
- Playing kit (black shorts, a white T-shirt, soccer socks, and shin pads)
- R50 registration fees
- Bring a bottle of water.
Selected players will join the Saints FC junior side, where they will compete in the junior NAFA league.
2. KZN Football Academy Trials in South Africa
The academy based in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, the football school operates several youth teams that play in the South African Football Association SAB league.
The academy ran trials that took place December 8, 2023, to December 10, 2023. The trials were held at the academy’s facilities in Jackson Drive, Durban (behind the Kings Park rugby stadium).
Requirements for taking part in the soccer trials included:
- A copy of ID or birth certificate.
- Own training kit and shin guards.
- Own refreshments
- R100 admin fee
3. Bidvest Wits Football Academy Trials
The Bidvest Wits Football Academy is a soccer club in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. The club held an 8-day trial camp, which took place in December 2023.
The requirements to participate in the trials include:
- Between 11 and 27 years of age.
- An ID/ birth certificate.
- Aspiring players were required to provide two pictures of themselves.
Bidvest Football Academy charged registration fees for accommodation, food, refreshments, transport, and kits offered to participants during the trial period.
Interested players registered for the trials through the club’s WhatsApp account (+27 79 068 0968).
4. Soweto United Stars Soccer Academy Trials
Based in Pimville, Johannesburg, South Africa, Soweto United Stars Soccer Academy is one of the several academies/clubs planning upcoming soccer trials in Gauteng in 2023.
The academy’s trials will occur from December 4 to December 8, 2023, at the club facilities in Pimville. They are scheduled for players aged between 11 and 21 years of age.
A registration fee of R1,000 will also be charged to cover the camp charges. Players who will be selected during the trials will join either the junior or senior teams of the academy, depending on their age.
5. Pretoria Kings Football Academy Trials
The Pretoria Kings Football Academy is based in Pretoria. It ran a ten-day trial camp from December 8, 2023, to December 18, 2023.
The academy’s trial camp was open to aspiring players between 15 and 21 years. Requirements for participation included:
- R800 registration fee for accommodation, food, training kit, and transport.
- A copy of ID or birth certificate
- Soccer boots
Selected players joined the academy starting from January 2024.
6. Fleetwood Town International Football Academy Trials in South Africa
If you are interested in a soccer trial in Cape Town, you should consider the Fleetwood Town International Football Academy (FTIFA).
The academy is located in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. The academy offered trials for players between 16 and 24 years. Aspiring players can join the academy trials by filling out an online registration form.
Selected players stand a chance to play for various academy teams at either professional or semi-professional levels.