Skip to content
Player development
Development you can actually see.
THA uses player metrics to understand each child’s development and provide the right level of support and challenge as they grow through football.
Why we use metrics
Every player develops differently.
Group coaching should still recognise the individual. THA uses player metrics as a shared way for coaches to understand how a child is progressing and where the right support or challenge can help.
Players are observed during normal sessions. The aim is not to rank children, but to help each player enjoy football, build confidence and keep moving forward in a way that feels right for them.
A clear development picture
Emerging → Developing → Secured
A simple framework helps coaches talk consistently about development while keeping the focus on the child in front of them.
- 01
Emerging
The player is beginning to understand or demonstrate the skill or behaviour.
- 02
Developing
The player is showing it more consistently but still needs support, repetition or appropriate challenge.
- 03
Secured
The player can demonstrate it consistently enough for coaches to consider the area established at their current stage.
Secured does not mean perfect or permanently mastered. It helps coaches understand what challenge may be appropriate next.
How it works
Observation, not an exam.
THA does not use formal one-off tests to compare children against one another. Coaches observe how players respond during sessions and challenge them in age- and stage-appropriate ways.
Development is considered over time, not through a single moment. Those observations help coaches adjust support, repetition and challenge within the group environment.
Finding the right group
From Beginner to Advanced.
Parents may initially choose a Beginner or Advanced group. THA can recommend the most suitable starting point after considering a child’s experience and what coaches observe during their initial trial.
Players normally progress once the relevant metrics are Secured. Earlier progression may happen where the Player Analyst believes it is appropriate.
- Trial / starting group
- Emerging
- Developing
- Secured
- Progress when ready
Consistency and support
The Player Analyst role.
THA uses a Player Analyst to help support consistency in player assessment and progression decisions. Player Analyst Coach Joey Holmshaw may recommend earlier progression where it is appropriate for the player.
More than football ability
Development is wider than one moment on the ball.
Player metrics sit within THA’s wider person-first approach. Confidence, communication, decision-making, leadership, social skills, creativity and adaptability all matter as children grow through football.
The player pathway
The right challenge at every stage.
- Ages 2–4 Parent & Toddler
- Ages 5–7 Beginner
- Ages 5–7 Advanced
- Ages 8–11 Beginner
- Ages 8–11 Advanced
Parent FAQ
Questions parents often ask.
Does my child have to pass a test?
No formal one-off test is required. Coaches observe development naturally during sessions.
What happens if I book the wrong level?
THA can recommend the most suitable group after considering the child’s experience and initial trial.
When does a player move up?
Usually once the relevant metrics are Secured, although earlier progression may be recommended where appropriate.
Are children compared with each other?
The focus is on individual development rather than ranking players against one another.
Find the right next step
Find the right challenge for your child.
Whether they are just starting out or ready for their next step, THA can help parents find the most suitable session.
Find a Session