Charlton Challenge

The Charlton Challenge is Charlton Athletic Community Trust's (CACT's) own award-winning scheme for 2-8 year old boys and girls, delivered by our qualified coaches.

Charlton Challenge is a structured and progressive scheme aimed at developing children’s core movement and football skills. It is designed to create maximum enjoyment and involvement, while also helping young footballers to realise their full potential. At the end of the course players will receive a certificate, feedback based on our assessment criteria and a band to represent the level they have achieved. The levels are from 1-5 and a higher number of points is required to achieve the next level.

All Charlton Challenge sessions are delivered over 12 weeks three times a year and are split into two challenges.

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.

Click here to book your sessions

 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

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.