RFYC’s scouting process is on, and stage 1 has just hit overdrive with Head of Scouting Steve Charles on the move again!

This time, the academy is looking for the most talented Indian boys born between Jan 1, 2012 and Dec 31, 2013 to join the academy in the 2025/26 season.

The first step in the process is for all interested eligible players to complete the online trials on the aiScout app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

This allows the scouts to have a good look at players across the country and gauge their abilities through video and an AI based scoring system.

“aiScout is a valuable addition to our multi-layerd scouting process. It gives us video evidence of a player’s technical and physical skills and the scoring system creates a leaderboard of the most interesting and skilled entries” says Steve.

RFYC partnered with aiScout starting in the 2020/21 season, when the COVID lockdowns meant on-ground football activities were hampered.

Since then, the Academy has leveraged the advantage provided by aiScout and has managed to bring in 8 new Young Champs into the fold over the past 3 seasons, and Steve Charles is confident that more quality will present itself through the platform.

“We have managed to find some exceptional quality players through the aiScout platform. It is a great first step in helping us identify potential future professional footballers.” He explains.

Once the players complete the online trials, which consist of 8 drills spread over 2 suites, the app scores each entry and creates a leaderboard. The scouts then go through and evaluate each entry on the leaderboard, from where the most interesting players are invited for on-ground trials where Steve and the local scouts can see them in in-game situations. All on ground sessions are recorded and viewed by the coaches and analysts at the Young Champs Academy, who make their recommendations for the final shortlist

The main aim of the process is to have as many eligible players try out and for them to to be seen by as many scouts and coaches as possible before they are invited to join the academy.

In May, a final scouting camp is conducted, where 60-70 of the most talented entries from across the country are invited to live and train at the Young Champs Academy for a week, where they have training sessions and games like the schedule of a Young Champs scholar.

From there, 16 – 18 players are invited to become the U-14 batch of the Young Champs Academy, which includes a fully funded scholarship to the academy, in addition to taking care of the child’s educational, mental, nutritional and other developmental needs.

The use of aiScout is a testament to the Reliance Foundation's commitment to using technology to improve the lives of people in India. While it is not a tool to completely replace the traditional scouting process, it is a great value add, and can help Academies cast a wider net and find talents from all parts of the country. It is hoped to have a significant impact on the development of young footballers in the country.

RFYC is currently scouting for talented football players! If you would like to have your child stand a chance to be scouted by India’s top football academy and receive top level education on the pitch an off it, this is your chance!

RFYC is inviting applications for it’s U-14 batch for the season 2025/26. Players born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 are eligible to be scouted.

Download the AiSCOUT app now. Entries close on Dec 31, 2024!

Google Play Store

Apple App Store