What should a 14 year old football CV include?
A football CV for 14 year olds is a structured document that summarizes a young players technical skills, physical attributes, and competitive history to secure trials at professional academies or elite representative teams. At this specific age, scouts are less interested in a long list of trophies and more focused on growth markers, technical ceilings, and character traits. It acts as a professional introduction that proves a player is disciplined, coachable, and possesses the physical foundations to thrive in a high pressure academy environment this season.
Every CV at this age must lead with basic personal information and contact details for a parent or guardian. This includes the players full name, date of birth, and nationality. Because scouts look at age groups strictly, the date of birth determines whether a player fits into the U14 or U15 category for the upcoming season. Beyond the basics, you must include a summary of the players current club, the league level they play in, and any representative honors like district or county selections.
Technical attributes are the core of the document. You should list specific strengths such as passing range, crossing accuracy, or one on one defending. Avoid generic terms like good at football and instead use descriptive language that paints a picture of the players capabilities on the pitch. Coaches want to see that the player understands their own game and can articulate what they bring to a team. Adding a section for recent achievements or standout performances helps provide context to these technical claims.
Key takeaways
Focus on potential and physical growth markers rather than just historical trophies or wins. Include specific technical skills and athletic benchmarks like sprint times to grab scout attention. Highlight academic commitment and coachability to demonstrate the discipline needed for elite academies. Keep highlight videos short and impactful, placing the best moments in the first thirty seconds. Use a professional layout that is easy for academy directors to scan quickly during recruitment windows.
How do I list my football positions and playing style?
When you build a football CV for a fourteen year old, positioning is about more than just a spot on the pitch. You should list a primary position and one secondary position to show versatility. At age fourteen, many players are still being moved around to find their best fit, so showing you can play as both a winger and a full back can make you more attractive to an academy squad that needs depth. Be honest about where the player feels most comfortable and where they have spent the most minutes during the current season.
Defining the playing style is where you can truly differentiate a player from the crowd. Rather than saying a player is a midfielder, use terms like deep lying playmaker or box to box engine. These descriptions tell a scout exactly what tactical role the player fills. If the player is a defender, are they a physical stopper or a ball playing center back who can start attacks from the rear? This level of detail shows a high football IQ, which is a trait highly valued by Category 1 and Category 2 academies in the UK.
It is also helpful to mention the systems the player is familiar with. If they have spent two years playing in a 4 3 3 formation, they will have a specific understanding of wing play or midfield rotations that a scout needs to know. Mentioning tactical flexibility shows that the player is ready for the complex coaching they will receive at the academy level. This section should be concise but packed with descriptive keywords that align with modern scouting terminology.
Should I include my height and weight on a youth CV?
Physical data is a mandatory requirement for any serious youth football CV. At fourteen, players are often at different stages of puberty, and scouts need to understand the physical context of their performance. A player who is dominant because they are significantly larger than their peers might be viewed differently than a smaller player who relies on elite technical skill and quickness. Including height and weight allows scouts to map the player onto growth curves used by professional clubs.
Beyond just height and weight, you should include other athletic benchmarks if they are available. Metrics such as 30 meter sprint times or vertical jump height provide objective proof of athleticism. In the modern game, pace and power are non negotiable for many positions. If a player has exceptional speed, listing their top speed or sprint data can be the specific detail that triggers a scout to attend a live match. These numbers provide a baseline that coaches can use to project how the player will develop physically over the next three to four years.
Parents should update these figures every few months. A fourteen year old can grow several inches in a single season, and an outdated CV might give scouts the wrong impression of the players profile. Accuracy is crucial here, as scouts will verify these stats during an initial trial period. Providing this data upfront shows transparency and a professional approach to the recruitment process, making it easier for the club to assess the players suitability for their specific age group needs.
How do I record match statistics at the grassroots level?
Recording statistics for a grassroots player requires a focused approach. You do not need professional GPS data to make an impact, but you do need to track the numbers that matter for the players specific position. For an attacking player, goals and assists are the obvious metrics, but you should also track shots on target and successful dribbles. For defensive players, focus on clean sheets, interceptions, and successful tackles per game. These numbers build a statistical profile that supports the claims made in the technical skills section of the CV.
Consistency is more important than one off high scores. Scouts look for players who perform at a high level week after week. Keeping a log of the last ten matches including the result, the level of opposition, and the players key stats provides a transparent view of their current form. If a player is playing in a top tier regional league or a Junior Premier League JPL game, the stats carry more weight than those from a lower division local league. Always mention the quality of the competition when presenting these figures.
It is helpful to learn how to make a football CV that integrates these stats naturally into the layout. A simple table or a few bullet points under the recent season heading can make this data easy to read. Parents can help by taking notes during games or using basic video analysis tools to count successful actions. When a CV shows that a player has contributed to fifteen goals in twenty games, it provides a clear reason for a scout to take the next step and watch them in person.
Focusing on technical skills and future potential over past wins
The biggest mistake parents make when creating a football CV for 14 year olds is focusing too much on trophies won at age nine or ten. While winning is good, academies are looking for individual potential that can be developed into a professional career. A scouts job is to identify players who will be elite at age eighteen, not those who are just the best at fourteen. Therefore, the CV should emphasize technical mastery, such as two footedness, first touch under pressure, and spatial awareness.
List specific technical drills or skills that the player has mastered. If they have a high success rate with long range passing or have developed a specific ability to cross the ball with both feet, highlight this clearly. These are the tools that coaches can work with. Showing that a player is working on specific areas of their game also demonstrates a growth mindset. You might include a small section on current development goals, such as improving aerial duels or increasing defensive work rate, which shows self awareness and a desire to improve.
Potential is also demonstrated through a players understanding of the game. Mentioning their ability to read play, their positioning when out of possession, and their communication skills provides a fuller picture of their talent. Scouts are often looking for the hidden gems who might not be the loudest or fastest but have a technical foundation that is superior to their peers. By focusing on these refined skills, the CV speaks the language of professional academy directors.
The importance of academic records and character references
Professional academies are looking for more than just athletes, they are looking for disciplined young men and women who can handle the rigors of a dual career path. Including a brief section on academic performance is highly recommended. Good grades and a positive school attendance record suggest that a player is organized and capable of following instructions. Academy directors know that a player who excels in the classroom is often easier to coach on the training pitch because they possess better concentration and cognitive skills.
Character references from current or former coaches can be a powerful addition to a youth CV. A short quote about a players attitude, leadership qualities, or resilience during tough matches can carry significant weight. Scouts often speak to coaches before offering a trial, so having a positive testimonial already on the CV can speed up the process. It proves that the player is a good teammate and has a professional attitude toward training and matches. This is especially important for players looking to move into high pressure environments like Category 1 academies.
Mentioning hobbies or other sports can also be beneficial. Being a multi sport athlete often leads to better overall physical literacy and coordination. If the player also competes in athletics, swimming, or basketball, it shows they have a broad athletic base. This holistic view of the player helps scouts see them as a well rounded individual who has the mental and physical maturity to succeed in the competitive world of elite youth football.
How long should a youth player highlight video be?
A highlight video is an essential companion to a football CV, and for a fourteen year old, it needs to be concise and impactful. The ideal length is between three and five minutes. Scouts and recruitment analysts do not have the time to watch twenty minute reels of every touch. The video should start with the absolute best clips to grab attention immediately. If a player is a striker, start with a variety of goals, if they are a defender, start with goal line clearances or perfectly timed tackles.
Quality of footage is more important than fancy editing. Ensure the camera is stable and the player is clearly identifiable in every clip, perhaps using a simple spotlight or arrow at the start of each play. The video should show the player in different scenarios, such as their work rate when the team loses the ball, their movement off the ball, and their technical execution during set pieces. Including these varied clips gives a complete view of the players tactical understanding. For more detailed advice, parents should look for highlight video tips to ensure the final product looks professional.
Avoid using loud music or distracting transitions that take the focus away from the football. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for the scout to evaluate the players movements and decisions. A simple link to a YouTube or Vimeo video, or a profile on a platform like FootballersCV, should be placed prominently at the top of the CV. This allows the scout to verify the claims made in the text document with visual evidence in just a few clicks.
Where can I find a football CV template for teenagers?
Finding the right structure is the first step toward a professional presentation. A youth football CV template should be clean, one page long, and easy to read. You can find specialized templates online that are designed specifically for the needs of academy recruitment. The layout should use clear headings and bullet points rather than long blocks of text. This allows a busy scout to scan the document and find key information like age, position, and current club in seconds.
When using a template, ensure that the most important information is at the top. The top third of the page should contain the players name, a professional headshot in their kit, their date of birth, and their primary position. The middle section should focus on their playing history and technical attributes, while the bottom can be reserved for physical stats and academic information. This hierarchical structure is standard in the industry and helps maintain a professional tone throughout the document.
Parents can also use a digital football CV builder to ensure they do not miss any critical fields. These tools often prompt you for information that you might otherwise forget, such as your current coaches contact details or your eligibility for different national teams. Using a dedicated platform ensures the CV is formatted correctly for mobile devices and desktops, making it easy for scouts to view your profile while they are on the move at scouting events or matches.
Building a digital presence for scouts this season
In 2026, a paper CV is often just the beginning. Most scouting and recruitment happen through digital platforms where players can be searched and filtered based on their attributes. Creating a digital profile allows you to stay visible to scouts who are looking for specific types of players. By keeping a digital CV updated with the latest match stats and video clips, you ensure that you are always ready when an opportunity for a trial arises. This is a proactive way to manage a young players career development.
Networking is also a key part of the process. Once the CV is ready, it can be sent to academy managers or recruitment heads via email or LinkedIn. A professional cover letter should accompany the CV, briefly explaining why the player is a good fit for that specific academy. Showing that you have researched the clubs playing style and values can help the application stand out from the hundreds of generic emails they receive every week. It shows a level of commitment and interest that clubs appreciate.
Finally, remember that the CV is a living document. As the player grows, learns new skills, and moves up to higher levels of competition, the CV must be updated to reflect these changes. By treating the football CV as a professional tool, parents can help their fourteen year olds take the first serious step toward an academy career. The goal is to provide a clear, honest, and impressive snapshot of a players potential that makes it impossible for a scout to say no to a trial.
Get started with your football CV today
The path to a professional academy starts with a single professional step. By organizing your players achievements, technical skills, and physical data into a clear format, you are giving them the best possible chance to be noticed by the right people. Do not wait for scouts to find you in a local park, take control of the recruitment process by creating a document that showcases your potential today. A well crafted CV is the key that opens doors to trials and elite training environments.
Visit FootballersCV.com to create a free profile and use our specialized tools to build a football CV that stands out to scouts and academy directors worldwide. Our platform is designed to help young players from grassroots to elite levels showcase their talent and connect with the professional game. Start building your football future right now.