THE EPF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
EVERY PLAYER HAS A JOURNEY.
From a child's first experience of sport through to advanced and academy-level training, the EPF Player Development Pathway provides the right environment, challenge and support at each stage of development.
START WHERE YOU ARE. DEVELOP. PROGRESS.
01
02
03
04
05
DISCOVER SPORT
AGES 2–4
PRE-ACADEMY
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
A fun introduction to movement, sport and football, helping young children develop confidence through play.
MOVEMENT
COORDINATION
CONFIDENCE
AGES 5–7
Building strong football foundations through technical development, creativity and lots of positive interaction with the ball.
BALL MASTERY
1v1 SKILLS
CONFIDENCE
AGES 7–11
ADVANCED CENTRE
For developing players ready to improve their technical ability, decision-making and understanding of the game.
TECHNIQUE
DECISION-MAKING
GAME UNDERSTANDING
AGES 7–15
ACADEMY
A higher-intensity environment for strong grassroots and advanced players ready for greater technical, tactical and physical challenge.
TECHNICAL DETAIL
GAME INTELLIGENCE
PERFORMANCE
AGES 11–15
Our highest-level development environment for selected players capable of training at an advanced and academy standard.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
TACTICAL DETAIL
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
- Social Fun
- Basic Play
- Movement Focus
- Play-Based Learning
- Motor Skill Focus
- Confidence Building
- Technical Drills
- 1v1 Mastery
- Game Basics
- Tactical Awareness
- Positional Training
- Scouting Prep
- Pro Club Trials
- Performance Data
- Full-Time Exposure
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
EVERY PLAYER. THEIR OWN JOURNEY.
Age provides the framework. Development determines the pathway.
No two players develop at exactly the same rate. Our pathway provides an age-appropriate framework, but players are supported and challenged according to their individual stage of development.
Players may move between EPF environments when our coaching team believes a different level of challenge or support would better serve their development.
TECHNICAL ABILITY
The quality, confidence and effectiveness of a player's football actions.
GAME UNDERSTANDING
How well a player reads situations, makes decisions and understands the game.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Movement, coordination and physical capabilities appropriate to the player's stage of development.
MINDSET & ATTITUDE
How a player responds to coaching, challenge, teammates and their own development.
SUPPORTING PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
EPF FUTSAL
MORE TOUCHES. QUICKER DECISIONS. GREATER CREATIVITY.
Futsal provides a fast, technical and highly engaging environment that complements a player's wider football development. Played in tighter spaces with fewer players, futsal creates repeated opportunities to receive under pressure, manipulate the ball, play 1v1, combine with teammates and make decisions quickly.
Futsal complements the EPF Player Development Pathway and can support players across different stages of their development.
BALL MASTERY
More touches and greater confidence manipulating the ball in tight spaces.
1v1 ABILITY
Encouraging creativity, disguise and confidence when attacking or protecting the ball.
QUICK DECISIONS
Less time and space challenges players to scan, think and act faster.
COMBINATION PLAY
Developing movement, awareness and quick combinations with teammates.
START YOUR EPF JOURNEY
FIND THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR CHILD.
Every player's journey is different. Whether your child is taking their first steps in football, looking for additional development or ready for a more challenging training environment, we'll help you find the most appropriate EPF programme for them.
Not sure where to start? Book a trial and our coaching team can help guide you towards the most appropriate EPF environment.
BEYOND EPF
CONNECTED TO THE WIDER GAME
Player development does not happen in isolation. EPF works alongside grassroots football and our coaching team has extensive experience and relationships across grassroots, academy and professional football.
These relationships help us understand the demands and standards at different levels of the game and, where appropriate, support individual players towards opportunities that match their development and performance.
GRASSROOTS RELATIONSHIPS
CRAY WANDERERS FC
Flamingo Park Sports & Leisure, Sidcup By-Pass, Chislehurst, BR7 6HL
- Head Coach Alex
- 07771 747219
CRAYFORD ARROWS FC
107 Perry Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA1 4RL
- Head Coach Yusuf
- 07748 679605
METROGAS FC
Forty Footway, Avery Hill Road, New Eltham, London, SE9 2EX
- Head Coach Lewis
- 07943 265690
SPORT CLUB THAMESMEAD
Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London, SE28 8NJ
- Head Coach Terry
- 07525 618996
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CONNECTIONS
PRO CLUBS & ACADEMIES
Strategic links to professional clubs across the football league pyramid.
- EPF Scouts & Recruitment Network
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Our strategic partnerships allow EPF to connect players and families with specialist services that can support their wider development, performance and wellbeing.
External opportunities are never guaranteed. Our priority is each player's development, and any opportunity will depend on the individual player, their performance and development, and the requirements of the relevant club.
Supporting football, schools and early-years coaching and development.
Specialist strength & conditioning, speed and athletic development supporting players' physical performance.
GB SPORTS
Supporting wider sports coaching and development opportunities.
Physiotherapy & Injury Support – Providing EPF players with access to specialist physiotherapy, injury assessment and rehabilitation support.
EPF FAMILY BENEFIT
EPF players and their families receive an exclusive discount on eligible One Body London services.