Charlton Challenge
The Charlton Challenge is Charlton Athletic Community Trust's (CACT) award-winning football development programme for boys and girls aged 2-8 years, delivered by our experienced and qualified coaches. Designed to support young players at the beginning of their football journey, the Charlton Challenge provides a structured and progressive pathway that develops core movement skills, football techniques, confidence and enjoyment. The programme encourages maximum participation in a fun, safe and engaging environment, helping every child reach their full potential.
At the end of each course, players will receive:
- Individual feedback based on our assessment criteria via 360 player
- A coloured wristband representing the level they have achieve
Players are assessed across five levels, with each level requiring a higher number of points to progress to the next stage. The Charlton Challenge is delivered across three 12-week blocks throughout the year, with each block divided into two exciting challenges that help track and celebrate every player's development.
Click here to book a place on Charlton Challenge
Toddler Soccer (Aged 2-3)
Delivered to support boys’ and girls’ first experiences in sport. All games based around football are fun and engaging while looking to develop core movement, motor and listening skills. At the end of each session, each player will be rewarded with celebratory stickers.
Fundamental Challenge (Aged 4-5)
First step into developing core football skills. The Fundamental Challenge focuses on: Fundamental Skills, Ball Mastery, Social Development and Game Understanding. All players will receive feedback at the end of the course and a coloured band to show the level they have achieved.
Technical Challenge (Aged 6-8)
Provides more for players who are keen on developing as little footballers. The Technical Challenge will be a fun environment to develop the core football techniques of: Dribbling and Control, Passing, Shooting and Finishing Attacking and Defending. All players will receive feedback at the end of the course and a coloured band to show the level they have achieved.
Charlton Challenge Shield
If you sign up to three or more sessions over a term, you will be invited to attend the Charlton Challenge Shield, which gives players the opportunity to play in competitive games. Children will represent their venue, and compete in a tournament against other children from other venues we deliver at, to determine the winner of the Shield. This event takes place during every break in half term and it is run at our Training Ground. This is a great way for players to take what they have learnt in their sessions during term time, and put them to the test against other children, giving them the opportunity to be competitive and improve their teamwork.
For more information, please contact Josh Covill or Bradley Marshall at
josh.covill@cact.org.uk / bradley.marshall@cact.org.uk or call 020 8850 2866.
SUCCESS STORIES
Caluca has developed his footballing ability and seen an improvement in his social skills since he began attending Charlton Challenge sessions. Read his full story here.
Jesse joined the Charlton Challenge aged just 5 and has worked his way through the challenge progressing onto the Valley Gold Advanced Centre.
Kai Mustafa has also progressed onto the Valley Gold Advanced Centre after attending Charlton Challenge sessions. Read his full story here.
Harry Markley attended Charlton Challenge sessions from the age of 3 and after spending 6 years working on his football skills with CACT coaches. Now aged 9, Harry has signed for Charlton Athletic's Academy. Read his full story here.
Twins Max and Henry Garrey started attending Charlton Challenge sessions at the age of 4. Their football skills soon developed and lead to them progressing on with Max joining the Valley Gold Advanced Centre and Henry joining the Charlton Athletic Pre-Academy. Read their story here.
Oli Fairley joined the Charlton Challenge aged 4 and progressed through the programme by attending regular sessions. Oli's progress meant that he was invited to join the Valley Gold Advanced Centre to help develop his skills further. Read his story here.