LEADS, the London Elite Athletic Development School, is one extra 90-minute session a week for advanced OPDL players. It is fully funded by the club, and a player joins only by recommendation from their head coach. There is no sign-up form and no fee.
The week
LEADS runs in 8-week blocks. There is one session a week, usually on a Tuesday or Thursday, and the day can vary. Each session lasts 90 minutes, and the group is small.
The coaches
Garrincha, Rob Pereira and Anthony Vassallo plan every session. Garrincha leads the sessions on the field. The plan goes out each week, so players know what the session is built to work on before they arrive.
Who it is for
LEADS is for advanced OPDL players, and the only way in is a recommendation from the player's own head coach. Families do not apply, and there is nothing to pay. The program describes itself in three words: different is earned. Places are earned and kept through habits and intensity, in a small, high-pressure environment for players with big ambitions.
The first step is OPDL
Because every LEADS player comes from an OPDL team, the path starts with a place on one. OPDL trials for the 2027 season run from October 20 to 25 for U14 to U17 boys and girls, born 2010 to 2013. Register for a session with the trials registration form, or type caps.fyi on a phone. Not sure your player is ready for OPDL yet? The academy-ready quiz takes a few minutes and shows where your player fits today.
Learn more
The LEADS page has the full program and the coaches who lead it. If your player is already in OPDL and you have a question about LEADS, the best first step is a conversation with their head coach. You can also call or text (548) 488-2662, 10 am to 7 pm, and a coach will get back to you.