Navigating football trials (a guide for parents)
Every October, thousands of young footballers across Victoria lace up their boots for one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times of the year: trials.
For players, trials bring anticipation and nerves in equal measure. For parents, they often raise more questions than answers:
How do the different pathways work?
What are coaches actually looking for?
How can I support my child through the stress?
How do we manage the heartbreak if the answer is “no”?
At Alamein FC, we know that trials can feel daunting, especially if it’s your family’s first time navigating them. That’s why we’ve created a free e-book: Navigating Football Trials : A Parent’s Guide to Female NPL & Pathways in Victoria.
We want you to feel confident that this is not a sales pitch for our club. We’ve written it as a community resource for any family of a motivated young player, regardless of which club they’re trialling for.
What’s inside the guide?
Clear pathways explained, from MiniRoos to Community, Development, and NPL, so you know what each stage means.
Practical preparation tips, checklists for what to pack, how to get ready, and what to expect on the day.
What coaches look for, beyond technical skills, what are the key qualities that stand out?
Supporting your child through the stress, simple do’s and don’ts for parents.
Questions you should ask clubs (because the clubs are on trial too).
What happens afterwards: understanding commitments if the answer is “yes,” and how to support your child if it’s a “no.”
Why we made this
Alamein is proud to be Victoria’s only all-female club with NPL teams in every age group, but this guide goes far beyond our walls. We want every family with female players, no matter where they play, to feel supported, informed, and confident as they step into trials.
Because for girls, we know that attending football trials isn’t just about winning places on teams. It’s about having the chance to play, to participate, and to enjoy the game… but also about having permission to dream bigger. Girls deserve to know they can have ambition, be taken seriously, and be supported to take their football as far as they want to go.
Role models matter too. From the Matildas inspiring a nation on the world stage to our own Alamein senior women showing younger players what’s possible in Victoria, every pathway sends a powerful message: that girls belong in football at every level (not only entry-level), and that their dreams are valid.
Download your copy of Navigating Football Trials here >>
Please feel free to share this resource with parents, schools and clubs who might find it helpful. The more supported our players and families feel, the stronger our game becomes.
Final word
Trials can be challenging, but they’re also a chance for growth, for courage and for new opportunities. With the right support and guidance, every young player can take something valuable away from the experience. We hope this guide helps make the journey a little easier, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of footballers take the field. (And if Alamein FC is somewhere your daughter would like to play, we welcome your Expression of Interest here).
