Reading City Football Club’s Youth Academy was first launched in 2013 whilst the club was named Highmoor Ibis, initially it had just 3 teams but fast forward to the present day our academy has  well over twenty youth teams playing under the name ‘Reading City Football Club’ on both Saturday and Sundays from the age of 7 to Under 18 when players can then join our senior pathway.

To compliment our Youth Academy, we have been running a weekly development centre since 2018 which takes place on Sunday mornings at the Rivermoor Stadium and welcomes players aged 4-8.

Initially known as our Youth Section,In November 2021 we rebranded as the Reading City Football Club Academy as part of our ongoing partnership with local education establishment John Madejski Academy and their boys football programme.

By joining Reading City Football Club your child will embark on a pathway to excellence, as our package is the best in Reading.

Reading City is extremely proud to be an England Football Accredited Club which means we are the best place within our community for youngsters to play and enjoy football. We prioritise safeguarding and welfare, training for our coaches as well as the values of The FA’s Respect programme. We demonstrate a positive football environment where our youngsters can experience their football in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.

Since 2018 we have been proudly partnered with John Madejski Academy, located in South Reading. Allowing us to offer educational options to our youngsters when they reach the age for Secondary School education.

Reading City Football Club are also the only other Football Club, except for Sky Bet League One Side, Reading Football Club to compete in the Football Association Youth Challenge.