1. What is the youngest age you can start training from?

The youngest age you can start training from is the age of 4 (although some children start at 3 and a half). However we tend to advise parents to try a class first, as it can be more challenging than other classes aimed at children between 2-3 year olds.

2. Is the training indoors or outdoors and what does my child need to bring?

We have a large indoor hall that is available when the weather is too dark, cold or rainy (not available during the months of June or July). Your child should always bring trainers as well as football boots in case we train indoors. They should also bring kit that they feel comfortable playing football in, including shin pads to prevent knocks. We ask children bring a water based drink (no fizzy drinks please) and also advise against drinks like Lucozade and Power Aid as they contain the chemical called 'Aspartame' (Google to read more) which has negative effects.

3.What will you teach my child?

Depending on their level and age - we will aim to improve their ability to shoot, pass, defend, attack, dribble and improve their speed and coordination, A child needs to establish a foundation of understanding and experience before they can move on to the more challenging techniques. We offer training for all levels right up to elite players but all players need to start with the absolute basics.

4. How does my child join a team?

We are able to find teams for players from U7 - U15. However joining a team is not for everyone, we only have a certain number of spaces in each team and not every child is ready to play competitive football straight away. We recommend continuing with our professional coaching and training until your child is ready to join a team.

5. How does my child get a trial with a professional club?

Although we have had over 40 players signed to profesional clubs it is very difficult for a player to get signed to an academy with a professional contract. We tend to think it takes 3 years of Sports Linx training to earn a trial at a professional club. However we are linked with local London clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, QPR, Tottenham, Reading, Fulham and Watford are the main clubs we have contact with.

6. Does your training only run during term time?

Yes, the weekly training actually stops, but we offer holiday camps and we strongly recommend players attend our camps as it means we have longer to work with players for and they have more chance of improving.

7. Are your coaches CRB checked?

Yes all coaches are CRB checked.

8. What are your links to professional clubs?

Many of our staff work part time at clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, QPR, Tottenham, Watford and Reading. We are easily able to forward players on to these clubs if we feel they are of the right standard.

9. What is your link with Old Isleworthians?

Old Isleworthians are one of the best youth clubs in London and Surrey. We are very lucky to be in partnership with the club and each year are asked to put together two U7 teams providing players and identifying parent mangers to run the new teams.

10. Do you do football camps, Birthday Parties and 1-1 training?

11. Why don't the coaches tell the kids to pass in training?

We don't tell the children what to do during the game as it is their game. A child needs to learn to make their own decisions without fear of failure and needs to take ownership for their decision. If we feel the child made a bad choice we will ask them afterwards if they could have made a better choice. Coach: "Could you have passed there Tommy?" Tommy: "Yes Coach, will do next time!" We also want to encourage skill in our play, in the past English players could only pass and had no dribbling ability due to their coaches demanding they pass on every occasion. We do not want our players to only have the ability to pass, so we do encourage dribbling within our training also.

12. Are there toilets, changing rooms and car parking?

Yes to all. We do ask that children arrive ready to play though.

13. Can parents stay and is there coffee available?

Parents can stay but there isn't any coffee or tea available. Parents are also unable to smoke onsite either.

14. Do you coach in schools?

Yes we do coach in schools but we'd love to coach in more, we offer a great service so it would be great if you could recommend us to the school's PE coordinator or head teacher.

15. What feedback do you give the children?

Throughout a training course or camp, each childs progress is monitored and visualised with a 'progress chart'. Each child receives a progress chart so they can easily see their development and progress.

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