A child may attend a Premier League club's development centre only if the home-to-club travel time fits the age band: one hour for Under 11 and below, 1.5 hours for Under 12 to Under 16, and no time or distance limit from Under 17 upward.
How far a child may live from the club's principal venue
Here is the travel-time limit between a child's home and the club's principal coaching and education venue.
| Age group | Maximum travelling time |
|---|---|
| Under 11 and below | One hour |
| Under 12 to Under 16 | 1.5 hours |
| Under 17 and above | No restriction |
The rule is framed around travelling time, not straight-line distance. The reference point is the club's principal venue for coaching and education.
Where the development centre itself may be based
A development centre used by the youngest age groups must itself be within one hour's travelling time of that principal venue. For the next age band, the youth development phase, the limit is 90 minutes.
That is a separate rule from the child's home address limit. A club has to satisfy both when it runs and uses a development centre.
Who decides a travel-time dispute
If there is an argument about the travelling time, the board decides it. The board considers the likely time of day and the mode of transport the player would use.
That keeps the decision tied to a realistic travel pattern rather than an abstract route calculation.
What attending a development centre does and does not allow
A child coached at a club's development centre may not be registered for that club.
The child may not play matches for the club or train with its academy unless registered as a trialist. The child remains free to play for other teams.
FAQ
Can a child at a development centre still play for another team?
Yes. A child attending a development centre remains free to play for other teams.
At what age do the home-distance limits stop?
The limits stop from the Under 17 age group upward. From that point, there is no time or distance restriction at all.
Does attending a development centre mean a child has joined the academy?
No. A child being coached at a club's development centre may not be registered for that club.
Playing matches for the club or training with its academy needs trialist registration first.
What records must the club keep for children who attend?
The club must keep an attendance record, proof of home address, and date of birth for every attendee. It must provide them to the league or The Football Association if asked.
Those records cover both identity and whether the age-band and residence rules are being followed.