Every senior debut starts somewhere. At Redcliffe Harriers it usually starts at an open trial morning: nervous kids, proud parents, and coaches watching feet, not reputations. This is how that seven-year-old becomes a first-teamer — stage by stage.
Stage 1 — Open trials (ages 6+)
Twice a year we open Harrier Park to any child who wants to play. No invitations, no experience needed. Coaches run small-sided games and look for coachability, courage, and joy — the raw materials everything else is built from.
Stage 2 — Academy foundations
Players join age-group squads in our youth development academy, training twice a week with termly report cards. Progress is measured against personal benchmarks, never against teammates.
Stage 3 — Representative & elite
Standout teenagers step into representative squads and the elite training program: GPS tracking, video analysis, and showcase fixtures. This is where college scouts and senior coaches start watching.
Stage 4 — Senior debut
Each season our first-team coach names at least two academy graduates in the senior squad. Last year it was four — including a seventeen-year-old who scored on debut in front of 900 people at Harrier Park.
Your starting point
- Next open trials: first Saturday of March and September, 9am at Harrier Park.
- Bring boots, shin pads, and water — bibs and balls are provided.
- Can't make it? Mid-season assessments run monthly by appointment.
