So, I’ve always been a huge football fan, and I’ve always dreamed of getting involved in the game beyond just watching. Recently, I got it into my head that becoming a football scout would be a cool way to do that. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get paid to watch football and spot the next big star, right?
First, I started digging around to see what it really takes to become a scout. I found out that The Football Association has these talent identification courses. It seemed like a good place to start. They’ve got five levels, and you work your way up. So I signed up for the first level. I figured I gotta start somewhere.
The course was pretty intense, but in a good way. I mean, it’s not just about watching games. There’s a lot to learn about analyzing players, understanding the game on a deeper level, and all that stuff. I even got to practice scouting at some local youth games. It was a real eye-opener. I thought I knew football, but this was a whole new level of detail. It was not easy, I have to admit that. But I enjoy the process!
While I was doing the course, I started thinking about my own background. I played football in high school, but I was never gonna go pro or anything. I also did some coaching for my little brother’s team, so I had some experience on that side of things. It got me wondering if you need to have played at a high level to be a scout. I read that while it helps to have a background in the game, it’s not a total dealbreaker. You need to have a real passion for football and be able to spot talent, that’s the main thing.
- I enrolled in Level 1 of The Football Association’s talent identification courses.
- I practiced scouting at local youth games as part of the course.
- I reflected on my own football background and its relevance to scouting.
Then there’s the whole money aspect. I wasn’t expecting to get rich doing this, but I was curious about what scouts actually earn. Some online digging told me that the average is somewhere between �18,000 and �30,000 a year. It depends on how much you work and what kind of role you have. Chief scouts at big clubs can make a lot more, like �30,000 to �60,000. It’s not a bad living, but I know I’d have to work my way up to those levels. I need to be very patient to achieve that.
I also found out some basic requirements, like you gotta be at least 21 to be a scout master and 18 for an assistant scout master. Plus, you need a high school diploma or something equivalent. Seemed pretty standard. I meet these conditions, so at least I got that going for me.
So, that’s where I’m at now. I’m still working my way through the courses, and I’m trying to get as much experience as I can. I’ve been going to more local games, practicing my scouting skills, and just trying to learn as much as possible. It’s a long road, but I’m really enjoying the journey. It’s like I’m seeing football in a whole new light. Plus, the idea of maybe, just maybe, discovering a future star is pretty exciting. I know it takes a lot of time and experience, but I’m ready to put in the work. I think I can make it!
What I’ve Done So Far:
- Started taking talent identification courses.
- Gained practical experience by scouting at local games.
- Researched the basic requirements and salary expectations for scouts.
- Continued to watch more games and practice scouting techniques.
It’s tough, it’s challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be writing about how I discovered the next Messi or Ronaldo. A guy can dream, right?
