How to Get Trials in Women's Professional Football

Sat Aug 08 2026

The explosion of women's football isn't just happening on TV; it's happening on training pitches, in scouting departments, and in the contracts being signed every week. For the first time, a truly global professional pathway exists for female players. But with opportunity comes competition. Getting a trial with a pro club in the English WSL, American NWSL, or Spanish Liga F is harder than ever. So, how do you actually do it?

It’s not about sending a hopeful email and waiting. It’s about understanding the specific pathways each league uses, proving you have the quality to compete, and positioning yourself so that scouts and coaches have no choice but to pay attention.

Understanding the Pro Landscape

Not all leagues are created equal. The pathway to a trial in the USA is completely different from the one in England or Sweden. You need to know which system you're targeting.

• USA (NWSL): The National Women's Soccer League is heavily dominated by the college system. The vast majority of new American players are drafted out of top-level NCAA Division I universities. For international players, it's about being so good in your home league that you get scouted directly or having an agent with strong NWSL connections.
• England (WSL & Championship): The structure here is more traditional, mirroring the men's game. Players come up through club academies (Regional Talent Clubs or 'RTCs'). To break in from the outside, you typically need to prove yourself in the FA Women's National League (Tiers 3 and 4) or be an established international player.
• Spain (Liga F): Spanish clubs rely heavily on their cantera (youth academy) system. However, they are also more open to scouting players from other European leagues and South America. Having an EU passport is a significant advantage here.
• Other European Leagues: Countries like Sweden (Damallsvenskan), France (Division 1 Féminine), and Germany (Frauen-Bundesliga) have fantastic professional leagues. They are often excellent entry points for players who aren't quite ready for a top-three league but have professional potential. Many players build their careers here before moving to a bigger club.

Are You Genuinely Ready for a Pro Trial?

This is the question you have to answer honestly. A trial isn’t a training camp; it's a ruthless audition where you have a few sessions to prove you belong. Coaches are looking for players who can immediately improve their squad.

You need to be the best player in your current environment, by a distance. If you aren’t dominating your semi-pro or university league, you won't be able to handle the speed, physicality, and technical quality of a pro team like Chelsea Women, San Diego Wave, or FC Barcelona Femení.

Before you even think about trials, your goal should be to play at the highest amateur or semi-pro level available to you. That is your showcase. That is where scouts will be watching.

Key Pathways to Getting Scouted and Trialing

There is no single "right" way to get a trial. You need to pursue multiple avenues at once. Here are the most common and effective routes.

The University Route (Primarily for the NWSL)

If your ambition is to play in the NWSL, the college soccer system is the undisputed number one pathway. NWSL coaches use the NCAA Division I National Championship and conference tournaments as their primary scouting grounds. To go this route, you need to be a top youth prospect with the academic standing to get into a D1 school. This process starts early, often when you're 15 or 16.

The Academy Pathway (Primarily for the WSL)

In England, the top clubs all have elite academy setups. The pathway starts at Regional Talent Clubs (RTCs) for younger age groups and progresses to a Professional Game Academy (PGA) for U21s. Getting into one of these is incredibly competitive and usually happens through scouting at the grassroots level. If you're outside this system, your only realistic path is to perform so well in the FA Women's National League that a Championship or WSL club offers you a trial.

Open Trials and Combines

Many clubs, especially in the US and sometimes in Europe, will hold open trial events. These are often "pay-to-play" events.

• Pros: It’s a guaranteed chance to play in front of the club’s coaches.
• Cons: You will be one of hundreds of players, and the level can be very mixed. It is extremely rare for a player to be signed directly from an open trial unless they are absolutely exceptional.

Think of these as a way to get a baseline assessment of your ability against a wide pool of players, but don’t bank your entire career on them.

Building Your Player Package: CV and Highlights

You can't just tell a club you're a good player; you have to show them. A professional player package consists of two key documents: your CV and your highlight video.

Your Women's Football CV

Keep it to one page. Coaches are busy. They want key information, fast. Include:

• Personal Info: Name, Date of Birth, Nationality (and any second passports), Contact Info.
• Physical Info: Height, Weight, Preferred Foot.
• Playing Positions: List your primary position first, then any secondary positions.
• Playing History: A simple, chronological list of your clubs, the years you played there, and the league/level. Include any university teams.
• Achievements: Major team trophies, individual awards (e.g., "Conference Player of the Year"), international caps (even at youth level).
• References: Names and contact details for 1-2 of your most recent, high-level coaches.

The Highlight Video That Gets Watched

Your highlight reel is your most important marketing tool. It’s what makes a coach decide whether to watch a full game or invite you for a trial.

1. Keep it short: 3-4 minutes is the absolute maximum. The first 60 seconds are the most critical.
2. Start with your best clips: Don't save the best for last. Put your most impressive actions right at the beginning.
3. Show game-realistic actions: We want to see you play in a real 11v11 match. Clips should show your football IQ, not just you juggling or shooting at an empty net.
4. Tailor it to your position: A defender’s video should show tackles, interceptions, and long-range passing. A striker’s should be full of goals, clever movement, and assists.
5. Include your details: Put a title card at the start and end with your name, position, club, and contact information.
6. Use high-quality footage: Shaky phone footage from the stands is a huge turn-off. Use footage from professional cameras if possible.

### FAQ: Getting a Pro Women's Football Trial

What is a realistic salary for a first-year pro female footballer?

This varies massively by league. In the NWSL, the minimum salary is around $37,856 (2024), while top players earn hundreds of thousands. In the WSL, salaries are rising fast but can range from £25,000 in the Championship to well over £250,000 for world-class stars. In many other European leagues, a first contract might be around €800 - €2,000 per month.

How do I get a trial for an NWSL team?

The main pathway is the NWSL Draft, which is for college players. If you're not in the US college system, you need to be an established international player or have a top agent with connections to secure a trial. Some clubs hold open tryouts, but it's very rare to get signed this way.

Are there age limits for women's professional football trials?

No. While most players sign their first pro contract between 18 and 23, it's not a rule. Clubs will sign a 28-year-old "late bloomer" if she has the quality and physicality to improve their team. Equally, a 17-year-old phenom can earn a spot if she is truly exceptional. It's all about ability, not age.

Do I need an agent to get a trial in Europe?

It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. A good, licensed agent has direct contact with sporting directors and coaches, which means your CV gets seen by the right people. They understand visa rules and contract negotiations. For a player without an existing reputation, an agent provides credibility.

Breaking into professional women's football requires talent, dedication, and a smart strategy. Focus on becoming an elite player at your current level, build a professional package that showcases your skills, and understand the specific pathways of the leagues you want to play in. Your next opportunity could come from the contacts and openings you find on My Football Future, the platform for live trials, contracts, and agent connections.