Next Phase International
Experience
football in the UK.
For ambitious international players and families who want to understand the UK football environment, experience football in England and explore what an appropriate pathway could look like.
Next Phase Football helps international players understand where they currently stand, what UK football may require and what type of experience or next step may be appropriate.
Start with the player
Before you travel,
understand the pathway.
Travelling to the UK for football can be a major commitment.
Before a player spends money travelling, attending trials or pursuing football opportunities, it is important to understand their current background, level, ambitions and what they are actually trying to achieve.
That is why our international process begins with understanding the player.
The objective is not to promise an academy.
The objective is to help the player and family make a more informed football decision.
The main starting point
International
player consultation
A detailed consultation for international players and families who want to understand football opportunities and experiences in the UK.
The consultation gives us the opportunity to understand the player before recommending any next step.
The discussion may include
Player background
Current club, academy, school or football environment.
Playing history
Previous clubs, academies, representative football, trials and relevant experience.
Current level
The standard the player currently competes at and the level of opposition they regularly face.
Position & player profile
Primary position, secondary position, preferred foot and the type of player they are.
Footage
Full-match footage or appropriate video where available.
Ambitions
What the player wants from football and what they expect from coming to the UK.
UK expectations
A realistic discussion around the UK football environment and what may be required.
Practical situation
Age, location, expected travel dates, family arrangements and other relevant football logistics.
Next step
A recommendation around whether assessment, further information or a UK football experience may be appropriate.
What we can do
- Review the player's football background
- Review suitable footage
- Provide pathway guidance
- Help the player understand UK football
- Consider suitable football environments
- Create appropriate assessment opportunities where available
- Help suitable players access relevant football experiences where possible
- Explore club or academy opportunities for players who meet the appropriate requirements
What we do not promise
- Professional club placement
- Academy registration
- Guaranteed trial
- Scholarship
- Contract
- Visa or work permit
- Football registration
- A professional career
UK football experience
What could a UK
football experience look like?
There is no single fixed package. International support is bespoke because every player is different. Depending on the player, age, level, availability and objectives, a UK football experience may include appropriate elements such as the following. Not every international player receives every element.
Football assessment
An opportunity for Next Phase Football to better understand the player's current standard.
Training environment
Access to an appropriate training environment where available and suitable.
Match experience
Competitive football opportunities where available, appropriate and permitted.
Player development
Feedback around technical, tactical, physical or decision-making areas.
Football education
Understanding standards, expectations and pathways within the UK football environment.
Player media
Professional footage, photography or player profile support where relevant.
Club & academy opportunities
Where a player meets the required level and an appropriate opportunity is available, Next Phase Football may explore relevant football environments through its wider football contacts and relationships.
The UK football environment
More than
one pathway.
UK football is broader than professional academies alone. A player's appropriate environment may include a wide range of settings.
- Professional academy environments
- Development centres
- Elite grassroots
- JPL
- Strong grassroots football
- College and education football
- Non-league development
- Semi-professional environments for appropriate older players
- Private academy environments
- Showcase football
- Talent ID opportunities
- Position-specific development
The right environment depends on
- Age
- Ability
- Experience
- Position
- Physical development
- Technical level
- Game understanding
- Availability
- Long-term aims
International player assessment
We need to understand
the player first.
The quality of the opportunity should match the quality and readiness of the player.
Where suitable footage exists, we may begin by reviewing the player remotely.
Where further assessment is needed, we can discuss the most appropriate way to understand the player before recommending football environments in the UK.
Useful information
What should
you send us?
You do not need all of this before getting in touch. Send what you have and we will guide you through the rest.
- Player full name
- Date of birth
- Height
- Primary position
- Secondary position
- Preferred foot
- Current club
- Current playing level
- Previous clubs
- Representative or academy experience
- Football achievements where relevant
- Full-match footage
- Highlight footage
- Current location and country
- Expected UK travel dates where applicable
- Player and family objectives
The international journey
Understand the player
Review their football background, current environment and ambitions.
Review the evidence
Discuss footage and playing experience where relevant.
Define the purpose
Understand why the player wants to come to the UK.
Build the right experience
Consider an appropriate football environment or support programme where available.
Review what comes next
Provide honest guidance after the experience.
Honest guidance
Honest international
football support.
Coming to the UK does not automatically make a player closer to professional football.
The experience is valuable when the environment matches the player's stage and there is a clear reason for being here.
Our role is to help players and families understand that before decisions are made.
We would rather recommend the right experience than sell the wrong one.
Club & academy opportunities
For the right player,
opportunities can open.
Where we believe an international player meets the appropriate football standard, Next Phase Football may explore suitable club, academy, showcase or other football opportunities through our wider network and contacts.
The player must still meet the requirements of the relevant football environment.
Any trial, invitation, assessment or selection remains entirely at the discretion of the receiving club or organisation.
A real football
environment in the UK.
Our relationship with academy partner AR Elite Academy gives Next Phase Football access to an active football environment where appropriate player assessment, training activity, competitive football and development work can take place.
This can be particularly valuable for international players because we are not simply advising from a desk.
Where suitable, we can observe how the player adapts to a real football environment.
Important
AR Elite Academy and Next Phase Football remain separate organisations. Using a Next Phase Football service does not guarantee AR Elite selection or membership.
Player & family logistics
Planning
the experience.
International football experiences may require additional arrangements depending on the player and programme. These services are not automatically included, and the precise arrangements are confirmed individually.
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Local transport
- Parent or guardian arrangements
- Programme dates
- Football schedule
- Insurance
- Required documentation
- Any relevant club or event requirements
Visa and immigration
Next Phase Football provides football pathway and experience support. We do not provide regulated immigration or legal advice. Players and families remain responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate permission and documentation to travel to and participate in activities in the UK.
International FAQs
- Do you guarantee a trial or an academy place?
- No. We provide football consultation, assessment and pathway guidance. Any trial, invitation, assessment or selection remains entirely at the discretion of the receiving club or organisation.
- Where does the process start?
- With an International Player Consultation. We need to understand the player's background, level and objectives before recommending any next step.
- Do we need footage before contacting you?
- No. Footage helps and can speed things up, but you can contact us first and we will explain what would be useful.
- Do you help with visas or immigration?
- No. Next Phase Football provides football pathway and experience support only. We do not provide regulated immigration or legal advice.
- Is every UK football experience the same?
- No. International support is bespoke. The elements included depend on the player, their age, level, availability and objectives.
For UK-based players
International experiences
beyond the UK.
Next Phase Football's wider international programme also includes opportunities for suitable UK-based players to experience football abroad through selected tournaments, fixtures and football environments.
Gothia Cup
Sweden
Dana Cup
Denmark
Budweiser Tournament
Czech Republic
Different countries.
Different football.
Different lessons.
International tournament football can expose players to different styles, environments, pressure, cultures and competitive experiences.
These programmes form part of the wider football experience around Next Phase Football and academy partner AR Elite Academy.
Participation depends on
- Age group
- Programme
- Player suitability
- Selection
- Availability
- Applicable terms
Selection for any international programme is not guaranteed.
Send us the player details
Tell us about
the player.
WhatsApp is the quickest way to reach us, but you can also send the player details here and we will come back to you.
Prefer email? Write to info@nextphasefootball.com. Telephone and WhatsApp: 07757 640536.
Thinking about
football in the UK?
Before arranging trials, flights or football programmes, speak to us about the player first.
Tell us where they currently play, what they are trying to achieve and what they want from a UK football experience.
We can then explain the most appropriate next step.
Services Brochure
Want the full
service guide?
Our Services Brochure contains more information about consultations, assessments, player media, filming, pathway support and the wider Next Phase Football programme.
Speak to us on WhatsApp and we can send you the latest version.
info@nextphasefootball.com