Events and pathways
Our Academy players have a range of pathways, available to them through our various partnerships and planned events. We have professional pathways into many leagues around the world, including NPL and A League pathways in Australia, La Liga pathways, SIA Academy and various Premier League clubs in the south of England.
uk football trials
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Each year, we offer an incredible opportunity for aspiring footballers to attend the UK Football Trials. This immersive experience allows players to train, eat, and stay with professional coaches and fellow participants for an entire week. The highlight of the program is a day of trials in front of over 25 scouts from various levels of the football pyramid, providing invaluable exposure for those looking to advance their careers.
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Participants enjoy exclusive accommodations in the vibrant cities of Brighton, Ardingly, and London. The experience includes behind-the-scenes stadium tours of iconic venues, such as the Amex Stadium in Brighton and either Stamford Bridge or the Emirates Stadium in London. Players also have the chance to explore London’s famous sites, including shopping adventures and visits to landmarks like Big Ben and London Bridge, along with fun activities such as playing in football cages.
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Additionally, attendees experience the thrill of watching a live Premier League or Championship game, soaking in the electrifying atmosphere of English football. To ensure everyone stays in top condition, professional recovery sessions are provided throughout the trip. This annual event is a unique blend of training, exposure, and adventure for young footballers looking to elevate their game.
U.s university program
Our partnership with Southern Cross Athletes provides young players with an incredible opportunity to pursue both academic and soccer dreams in the United States! This pathway empowers students to excel on the field and in the classroom, opening doors to U.S. university soccer programs and potential professional league opportunities.
Program Highlights:
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Comprehensive Overview: Understand the U.S. university sports system, including travel, accommodation, study programs, and pathways to leagues like the MLS.
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Scholarships & Financial Support: Learn about scholarships available for students with strong academics or exceptional soccer skills, covering accommodation, meals, training, and tournament travel.
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Guidance for Families: Tailored for families of players ages 15-18, this pathway provides essential information and resources to navigate the U.S. university soccer landscape.
Take the first step toward turning your child’s soccer ambitions into an exciting reality!
key partnerships
Soccer By Design in partnership with SIA Academy run trials and camps in Adelaide. La Liga and La Liga 2 scouts pick from our Academy players to send two players per year to Spain, free of cost to begin their professional, international soccer journey.
Using our vast network and contacts available to us, Soccer By Design is able to send Veo camera recordings, InStat reports and GPS data to various clubs across the nation and to international clubs. This offers further opportunities to get our Academy players in front of the right people/clubs and for them to get the recognition and potential opportunities that they deserve. We have already had great success using this method for scouting and have found our players to have the required level of performance to impress. For players that aren't quite at the required level, we have individual report cards and work on the aspects required to get them to the next level of professional soccer.
international player experiences
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In 2022, 2023, and 2024 we travelled to Valencia, Spain to participate in an intense, eye opening international soccer experience.
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This is an ongoing, yearly opportunity. Players fly over with their academy coaches to train, play, eat and sleep in SIA's world class training facility. Players engage in UEFA A grade coaching sessions, study and video analysis, psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, sports science and competitions against local La Liga clubs and academies.
Returning with report cards from the UEFA A grade coaches allows our players and coaches to focus on the areas of opportunities identified. This will aid the process in getting players to the level required to progress in their professional soccer journey.
PREMIER INVITATIONAL - GOLD COAST
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The Premier Invitational in partnership with The Magic Group offers 7 vs 7, 9 vs 9 and 11 vs 11 games in this elite academy tournament. Compete against academies from New Zealand, the US and all over Australia.
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This yearly tournament is held on the Gold Coast in September/October and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase team and individual capability at the same time as having a holiday with the family and your team mates.
DIAMOND LEAGUE - MELBOURNE
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The Diamond League is a tournament held in Melbourne for U14 - U18's. It is a prestige event, open via invitation only. Soccer By Design's U15 Academy team were one of twenty teams invited to play at this level, against A League Academy teams such as Melbourne City and Western United. We were extremely proud of how our team held up against the other talent, coming top four in the tournament for this age group.
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The Diamond League is a yearly tournament is held in Melbourne in January. It is another fantastic opportunity for players to get away as a team and play against other Australian teams.