How to Join a Women’s Football Academy with No Experience

Many girls ask: “I’ve never been in a club. I don’t have formal training. 

How can I join a women’s football academy with no experience?”

Maybe you feel too old.

Some feel too new.

Or you’re scared that without a club, you’ll never make it.

Here’s the truth.

Yes, you can join a girls’ football academy even when you have never played. 

A football academy doesn’t only scout perfect players. A girls’ soccer academy looks for attitude, potential, and willingness to learn.

So, what matters isn’t just experience, your desire to improve, and how you show up now.

Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

The biggest lie in women’s football? 

That only early starters succeed.

Yes, many female football professionals began between 4 and 10.

But others, especially in women’s football, started later and caught up fast.

Think of Millie Bright, who didn’t join a big academy until her teens.

Or Sam Kerr, who played Australian Rules before switching to football around 12–13.

Or Asisat Oshoala, who started playing with boys on dusty fields in Lagos.  No club, no boots, no plan.

They all had one thing in common.

They began where they were and never waited to “feel ready.”

So, it’s time to stop doubting your possibility to join a women’s football academy with no experience. 

Again, the answer is yes. 

Because women’s soccer doesn’t reward early, it rewards consistently.

How Girls Soccer Academies Work

Before you sign up or send emails to that girls’ soccer academy, let’s first understand what an academy is.

A women’s football academy is not just a training camp. It’s a structured environment where coaches teach you:

• Technical skills (passing, dribbling, ball control)
• Tactical awareness (positioning, teamwork, pressing)
• Physical training (speed, endurance, strength)
• Discipline and lifestyle habits (nutrition, rest, mindset)

Every football academy looks for one main thing. Potential.

Not trophies. Not background. Potential.

When you show effort, focus, and a hunger to learn, that’s what earns you a place.

Even if you’ve never played in a match before, you can impress coaches if you bring attitude and work ethic.

What Girls Soccer Academy Coaches Look For

Here’s the secret.

Soccer academy coaches already expect you to make mistakes.

They don’t need you to be perfect. They need to see how you respond when things go wrong.

So, when you show up for a trial or application, the academy staff looks beyond just technical skill. 

Here’s what they value.

1. Attitude

Do you listen and improve?

Being on time, listening to instructions, and showing respect to coaches and teammates.

These signals tell coaches you’re coachable—a very important trait.

2. Discipline 

Do you show up early, warm up properly, and respect instructions?

3. Work Rate

Do you chase the ball, even when tired? You know, run hard, chase the ball, show effort.

Even if your touches aren’t perfect, coaches notice hard work.

4. Communication and Team Spirit

Do you encourage teammates instead of staying quiet?

Football is a team game. When you call for the ball, help a teammate, or encourage others, it shows you understand football is about us, not me.

5. Progress Mindset

If you can talk about how you’re improving, what drills you do, or what you learned last week, it shows you’re focused and serious.

So if you search “join a women’s football academy with no experience”, it’s not the experience. It’s your mindset, effort, and attitude that matter as much as your skill level.

These are what separate dreamers from doers.

So, when you finally go for your first trial, don’t panic about being the best player there.

Just show that you’re the hardest worker there.

Steps to Join a Women’s Football Academy with No Experience

Here is your roadmap. Follow these steps to move from “no experience” to “academy applicant.”

Step 1: Start Locally

You don’t wake up one morning and join Chelsea Women’s Academy or PSG Féminine.

You start small. At your school, community, or town level.

Search online or ask around:

• Are there girls’ football clubs near me?
• Does my school have a women’s football team?
• Are there community development programs for girls’ sports?

Even if it’s just 10 people on a dusty pitch, that’s your first step.

Joining a small local club teaches you structure. It helps you understand formations, match play, and teamwork. 

That’s what every major academy wants to see. Not perfection, but progress.

If there’s no girls’ team near you, join the boys.

It might not feel very safe at first, but it builds confidence, toughness, and quick thinking.

Step 2: Train When You Have No Coach

If you can’t find a team yet, start training alone.

Every professional player has had those silent sessions: just them, a ball, and an empty field.

Train five days a week. 

Start small:

• Ball mastery drills: 10 minutes of toe taps, inside-out touches, and drags.
• Wall passing: Find a wall, pass the ball, receive it, control it, and repeat.
• Sprints: 10 short bursts of 20 meters each.
• Dribbling: Use cones, bottles, or stones to create a zig-zag path.

Record your training. Watch your touches.

See your mistakes, fix them, repeat.

These drills build the technical foundation that coaches look for when beginners join a women’s football academy.

Step 3: Pick a Position Early

This is one of the fastest ways to catch up.

Instead of training “everything,” focus on one soccer position.

• Goalkeeper
• Defender
• Midfielder
• Winger
• Striker

Each role needs a different mindset and skill set.

If you love blocking shots, try defending.

If you enjoy running, crossing, and attacking, go for the wing.

If you’re calm and think fast, try midfield.

Coaches love players who know what they want to master. Being clear about your position helps them understand how to train you.

Step 4: Research Academy Trials and Reach Out

Search online for “women’s football academy open trials” or “how to join a women’s football academy” + your country or region.

Many academies list trial dates and entry details. 

For example, one BHASVIC page says: “You will be required to participate in a trial process to be invited onto the Academy programme.”

Mark the date, prepare, and apply ahead of time.

Now that you’re training and learning, start reaching out.

Check official websites of clubs like Manchester City Women, Arsenal Women, Lyon Féminine, or Orlando Pride. They often list youth programs or open tryouts.

Also look into independent academies, like London City Lionesses Academy, LA Surf Soccer Club (USA), or Right to Dream (Ghana).

Send a simple message or email:

“Hello, my name is [Name], and I'm very passionate about football. I haven't played in an academy before, but I train every day and want to improve. I'd love to know how to apply or try out for your program.“

You’d be surprised how many coaches reply when you sound genuine.

How to Build Skill Before You Apply

Even if you have no formal experience, you can improve fast with the right plan.

a) Train Smart

You don’t need fancy equipment, just a ball, space, and time.

Split your week:

• 2 days: technical drills (first touch, passing, dribbling)
• 2 days: fitness/conditioning (runs, agility, core strength)
• 1 day: game play (small-sided match or scrimmage)
• Consistency will help you bridge the gap to more experienced players.

b) Watch and Learn

Watch women’s football matches or training clips. Notice how players move, how they find space, and how they work as a team.

This strengthens your game intelligence, which is an attribute many coaches prize.

c) Film Yourself

Record your practice sessions. Review what you do well and what you must improve. 

Being honest with yourself helps you learn faster.

Step 5: Create a Simple Player Profile

You don’t need fancy editing or a whole team to build visibility.

Create a 1-page player CV.

• Name, age, location
• Preferred position
• Height, weight (optional)
• Contact details
• Short paragraph about your football dream

Then record a short video, even 60 seconds, showing:

• Passing
• Dribbling
• Shooting
• Movement

Upload it privately to TikTok, YouTube, or Google Drive. When academies ask for proof, send the link.

It shows initiative, and that’s something scouts love, especially when evaluating players with no formal background.

Step 6: Prepare for the Trial

Once accepted for the trial:

• Train at least 4–5 times weekly, focusing on basic technical skills (ball control, passing) and fitness (sprints, stamina).
• Practice simple drills at home or with friends.
• Be positive at the trial: run hard, listen, communicate with others.

That’s how to join a women’s football academy with no experience and stay in it.

What Happens After You Join an Academy

Once you’re accepted, life changes.

You’ll train 5–6 days a week.

There will be fitness tests, technical drills, match days, and mental challenges.

You’ll learn about nutrition, recovery, and professional habits. How to eat before a game, how to handle losses, how to lead on the field.

Most of all, you’ll be surrounded by girls who share your dream. That energy keeps you growing.

Even if you don’t go pro right away, you’ll build friendships, discipline, and confidence that last forever.

Scholarships and Affordable Programs

Some academies are expensive, but not all.

If you can’t afford the fees, look for women’s football scholarships or community training programs.

Examples:

• Right to Dream Academy (Ghana): Scholarships for talented girls from low-income backgrounds.
• FC Rosengård (Sweden): Strong development programs for girls.
• Girls Academy (USA): Open trials and need-based support.
• LaLiga Academy (Spain): Seasonal camps open to international players.

Also, check your national football federation or local government sports programs.

Many countries now fund free or low-cost development sessions for girls under 17.

Never let cost stop you from applying. Email first, ask questions later.

Build the Right Mindset

You’ll have tough days. Days you’ll think, “I’m not good enough.”

That’s normal.

But here’s what you need to remember: Football isn’t just physical, it’s emotional.

• Discipline beats talent.
• Consistency beats confidence.
• And belief beats background.

Make your routine simple.

• Wake up early.
• Eat healthy (protein, fruit, water).
• Train daily, even if just 20 minutes.
• Sleep well.
• Keep your grades up.

Your mindset tells coaches everything they need to know.

Parents, Here’s How You Can Help

If you’re a parent reading this, your support can change everything.

Girls joining a women’s soccer academy with no experience need more than motivation. They need permission to try.

• Encourage her to train, even when she fails.
• Help her find safe pitches or programs.
• Show up at her games, no matter how small.
• Believe in her dream before the world does.

That’s what creates strong, confident players who go on to thrive, on and off the pitch.

Final Whistle

If you genuinely want to join a women’s football academy with no experience, stop waiting. 

Start where you are. You don’t need a perfect past.

You don’t need trophies, or fancy gear, or a famous coach.

You just need a ball, belief, and a plan.

• Start training today.
• Search for local trials.
• Email that academy.
• Kick that ball again.

Every big player once started with a small step, and that step can be yours, right now.

How to Join a Women’s Football Academy with No Experience FAQs