Essendon Royals 2026 Boys Community Team Trials
Community football is at the heart of the Essendon Royals. While our pathway programs provide opportunities for juniors with elite ambitions, our community boys teams create a welcoming environment where players of all abilities can develop, compete and fall in love with the game. These teams are the lifeblood of our club, building friendships, skills and a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond the pitch.
As we prepare for the 2026 season, we are pleased to announce the details of our Boys Community Team trials. All trials will take place at Ormond Park, and we ask that players arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled start time to register and prepare.
Boys Community Trials Timetable
All trials are held at Ormond Park, in front of the soccer club pavilion.
| Date | Time | Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct 6 | 5.30–6.30pm | U7 (2019 born) |
| Monday, Oct 6 | 6.45–7.45pm | U13A (2013 born) |
| Tuesday, Oct 7 | 5.30–6.30pm | U16 |
| Tuesday, Oct 7 | 6.45–7.45pm | U18 |
| Thursday, Oct 9 | 5.30–6.30pm | U7 (2019 born) |
| Thursday, Oct 9 | 6.45–7.45pm | Internal trials |
| Monday, Oct 13 | 5.30–6.30pm | U16 |
| Monday, Oct 13 | 6.45–7.45pm | U18 |
| Tuesday, Oct 14 | 5.30–6.30pm | U7 (2019 born) |
| Tuesday, Oct 14 | 6.45–7.45pm | U13A |
| Thursday, Oct 16 | 5.30–6.30pm | U15 |
| Thursday, Oct 16 | 6.45–7.45pm | U21 |
| Tuesday, Oct 21 | 5.30–6.30pm | U15 |
| Tuesday, Oct 21 | 6.45–7.45pm | U21 |
Any internal trials that may be required will be communicated directly by coaches and team managers.
Key Updates
We want to ensure all families are clear about the current status of boys’ community football across our programs:
- Kangas Program: All Kangas trials have now been completed. Some limited opportunities are still available in U9–U12 Kangas teams. Please email Technical Director Michael Curcija directly at mcurcija@essendonroyals.com.au
with player details for further information. - U8–U12 Community Boys Teams: We have had one of the highest player retention rates in club history. Almost every player in these age groups has retained their spot. As a result, there will be no open trials for U8–U12 boys.
We recognise this may be disappointing for families hoping to join the Royals in 2026. Unfortunately, with limited pitch space and coaching availability, we are unable to accommodate new players at this time.
If one-off positions become available, players will be invited from our 2026 waiting list.
A Note for U7 Boys
We strongly encourage families with boys eligible for Under-7s in 2026 (2019 or 2020 born) to seriously consider trialling for our teams this year. Joining U7 is the best way to begin your Royals journey – it is much easier to stay in a team once you’ve started than to join later at ages 9 or 10.
Under-7s train once a week and play one game on the weekend, providing the perfect introduction to structured football in a supportive environment.
Looking Ahead
Our community boys program is about more than the matches each weekend. It’s about creating a sense of belonging, building friendships, and fostering a love of football that can last a lifetime.
We thank all our players, parents, and volunteers for their support as we prepare for another exciting season. We look forward to seeing our boys community teams proudly wearing the Royals colours in 2026.
If you are attending trials, it’s important you have filled out this specific Community Football EOI form. If you had previously filled out our 2026 Waiting List form, please complete this form.
EOIs CLOSE ON MONDAY ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 3