Sussex Schools Football Association is committed to providing a fair, transparent and inclusive trials and selection process for its county representative teams.
How a player gets a trial place
- The school nominates. Players are nominated by their school's registered staff through the SSFA website, while the nomination window for that age group is open. Each school has a limited number of nominations per age group. Parents and clubs cannot nominate directly.
- The parent confirms. We email the parent or guardian a personal link to confirm the nomination and add their own contact details. The nomination doesn't go any further until it's confirmed.
- The team management review every confirmed nomination. They consider the player's current level of football, their position and the information provided by the school and parent. Trial places are limited, and the standard is high: many trialists play at academy or development-centre level.
- Invitations are sent. Players offered a trial place receive an email with the date, venue, times and what to bring, and a link to accept or decline. Players who aren't offered a place are also told by email.
A nomination does not guarantee a trial place. Trials are by invitation only — please don't attend a trial without an invitation.
For schools: nominations are limited
Each school has a limited number of nominations per age group, and the limit is deliberate. County trials are for players already playing at a high level. A nomination is not a reward or recognition of effort, and shouldn't be made because a parent has asked. Schools should only nominate players they genuinely believe are good enough to compete at county level.
Repeated misuse of nominations may result in a school being removed from the nomination process.
Selection at trials
- Selections are based on player ability, attitude, potential and suitability for the team.
- Players are assessed as fairly and consistently as possible.
- Selection decisions are made in the best interests of the squad and competition requirements.
After a trial, each player is told whether they have been selected, placed on the reserve list or not selected this time.
Important notes
Not all players attending trials will be selected. Selection decisions are made by the team management and are final, unless there is a clear procedural concern to raise through the appropriate route.
Current nomination deadlines and trial dates for each team are on the Trials page. Questions can be sent to admin@ssfa.online.