How to Join Leyton | AFC Leyton

AFC Leyton is a non-profit community football club that operates exclusively for girls aged between 5 and 17 years, and offers fun training sessions for women aged 18+. There are a number of ways to get involved in training and playing for AFC Leyton from absolute beginners to FA registered league players.

Arsenal Sister Club
2018/19 Season

Sports Club of the Year
Waltham Forest Feel Good Awards

Essex League Winners
2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18

Essex League Cup Winners
2017/18

FOUNDATION LEVEL

Saturday Football Development Centre:

The Saturday morning development sessions start from £3 pay as you go and last for 60 minutes. These are fun sessions, that have a good balance of skills training and exercise and are open to girls aged between 5 to 17 years.

We operate 3 programmes: – Wildcats (beginners) for primary aged children (5 to 11 years), Leyton Active Juniors for girls aged 8 to 11 who have some football experience and Leyton Active Seniors for secondary aged children (11 to 17 years). Payments are accepted in cash or card payments on the field or a monthly direct debit (cancel anytime).

During the football season, new players wishing to join AFC Leyton should attend the Saturday morning development sessions. From there, players can move to both the Development or League Teams outside of our annual trials. If you are joining AFC Leyton at the end of season or moving from another club to AFC Leyton, new players can attend our new player trial sessions and/or attend the development sessions for assessment.

Wildcats- 5 to 11 years

Girls who are aged between 5 to 11 years should attend the "Wildcats" sessions. These sessions are developed specifically for younger girls at primary school age, who may have no experience in football to those with moderate skills. The girls are split into two groups during the session, 5 to 7 years and 8 to 11 years. The sessions focus on basic football skills, fitness and fun games. These are drop in sessions and no commitment is required.Talented players are able to move from these sessions to the Development and League Teams.

Leyton Active (Juniors)- 8 to 11 years

The Leyton Active Junior session is for non-members and development players who are aged between 8 to 11 years and also league players in the U9s, U10s, U11s teams. The session allows players with moderate football skills to advance their technical skills in a team environment. These sessions are created specifically for younger girls with a special focus on advancing ball control and ball manipulation skills as well as fitness. These are drop in sessions and are included in the membership fees. Non-members pay £3 per session.

Leyton Active (Seniors)- 11 to 17 years

Secondary school girls who are aged between 11 and 16 years should attend the "Leyton Active" Sessions. Developed specifically for older girls, the sessions are an opportunity to get fit, make new friends and learn good football skills. Absolute beginners to girls with moderate football skills are welcome to attend these sessions. These are drop in sessions and no commitment is required. Talented players are able to move from these sessions to the Development and League Teams.

Join Wildcats

Join L.A. Juniors

Join Leyton Active

Join L.A. Seniors

Join Leyton Active

HIGHER LEVEL

Development and League Teams:

Our development and league players are selected for the next season through new player trials as well as Wildcats and Leyton Active sessions.

New Player Trials

3 new player trial sessions are held each year in the spring/early summer. We encourage trialists to attend all 3 where possible. Trial sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes and consist of skills and agility tests as well as mini matches. Our coaches will assess players on the day. Players completing trials may be invited to join the development squad, league teams or referred to the drop-in sessions for further development. New player trials are free to attend.

Development Squads

Girls that are invited to join the development squads have been selected by the coaches through new player trials or the Saturday morning development sessions. These players will have moderate football skills that they are looking to develop further. Development players are placed on a contract with an annual fee of £180. This can be paid in full or in 12 equal monthly payments. Development players train for a minimum of 90 minutes per week (U11s and lower) and 120 minutes (12s and above). Development players may also be invited to play competitively in friendly matches to further develop their skills. Development players do not need to purchase an AFC Leyton kit.

Benefits of joining as a contract development player:

Dedicated female only football club
Access to Leyton development sessions
Access to league team squad training
Invitation to play competitively at friendlies and tournaments
Invitation to Club events
Invitation to Arsenal events
Free Arsenal match tickets

League Teams

Our league players are selected through new player trials and both the Saturday morning and squad development sessions. Players who are selected for the league are skilful and consistently demonstrate strong football skills, are physically fit and match ready. League players are placed on a contract with an annual fee of £280 per year. This can be paid in full or in 9 equal monthly payments. League Players train for a minimum of 90 minutes a week for U11s and below and 120 minutes for U12s and above. Players in this category are registered with the FA and eligible to play competitively in League games and Cup games. League players will also be invited to attend tournaments across the UK and abroad. League players need to purchase a home and away AFC Leyton kit from the club shop.

Benefits of joining as a league player:

Dedicated female only football club
Access to Leyton Development Sessions
Access to league team squad training
Attendance at League matches and cup matches
Invitation to play competitively at friendlies and tournaments
End of season presentations and awards
Invitation to Club events
Invitation to Arsenal events
Free Arsenal match tickets

New Player Trials

If you are currently signed to another club, please use this form to register your interest with AFC Leyton when you come out of contract at the end of the season. Players who are unsigned can simply drop into our foundation sessions for assessment at any time of the year.