Advanced Centre
CACT offers talented players from within their community programmes an opportunity to train each week at our Advanced Centre.
All players selected will be coached by UEFA A and UEFA B licence coaches at CAFC Training Ground. We deliver a specialised CAFC Academy curriculum focusing on enhancing technical, physical, social and psychological abilities in players aged U5-U13s. As well as this matches will take place against local academies and CAFC Academy teams.
Unfortunately, after assessment some players will be asked to leave the centre, but most will be invited to either carry on or potentially attend a trial to try and gain a place within the Charlton Athletic Academy.
Players are selected for the Advanced Centre through attending one of a number of CACT Football and Sports Development programmes. Please see a list of programmes available below:
If a player within one of these programmes shows the CACT coaches signs of great technical ability, good game understanding and excellent movement skills, they may be asked to attend one of the Advanced Centres.
The Advanced Centre programme is just for male players at the moment, but CACT work closely with the Charlton Athletic Girls Centre of Excellence programme and any female players who attend Football and Sports Development programmes and show signs of ability will be recommended to them.
Read about some of the young people who progressed through Advanced Centre into the Charlton Athletic Academy:
- Jonathan Beqiri
- Seyi Kolajo
- Kyan May
- Roman Douglas-Boast
- Malachi Ige
- Josh Hunt
- Harrison Wickers
- Raheem Offiah
- Kairo Sage
- Enrik Legasi
- Jake Maloney
- Niall
- Kayden Bashir
- Yemi
- Dylan Burns
Watch the video below to learn more about Kaylen's story, which highlights the impact of the Advanced Centre on his development.
Join Charlton Athletic Advanced – New JPL Teams for 2026–27!
For over 25 years, Charlton Athletic Advanced has helped develop young players through high‑quality coaching and a positive, professional environment - creating a clear pathway into the Charlton Athletic Academy, which continues today.
Now, for the first time ever, we’re creating official Charlton Athletic Advanced teams to compete in a recognised league - and we’re inviting new players to be part of this exciting step forward!
New for the 2026–27 season, we are launching brand‑new squads at:
- U9 age group
- U10 age group
- U11 age group
These teams will compete in the Junior Premier League, giving players the chance to represent Charlton Athletic Advanced in a respected competition while continuing to grow their skills under experienced, UEFA‑qualified coaches.
Why Join Charlton Athletic Advanced?
- 25+ years of proven player development
- Professional, engaging coaching
- A positive, supportive environment
- A clear pathway into Charlton Athletic’s wider system
- The pride of representing one of London’s most respected football programmes
Be part of our first-ever competitive squads! This is a unique opportunity to join Charlton Athletic Advanced as we take the next step in developing future footballers. Trial dates will be announced soon...