The short answer
Reading (League One) runs a Category 1 academy with squads from Under-9. It can register Under-9 to Under-11 players who live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1½ hours (no limit at Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model). From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Bearwood Park, Sindlesham, Wokingham.
| League 2026/27 | League One |
| Academy | Category 1 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Bearwood Park, Sindlesham, Wokingham |
How far Reading can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 1 academy can only register players who live within these travel times of its main training venue:
| Age group | Travel limit |
|---|---|
| Under-9 to Under-11 | 1 hour |
| Under-12 to Under-16 | 1½ hours (no limit Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model) |
| Under-17 to Under-21 | No limit |
Trials have their own limits: 1 hour at Under-9 to Under-11, 1½ hours at Under-12 and Under-13, and no limit from Under-14 to Under-16 (Rule 270).
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Compensation if a player leaves Reading
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the Reading academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because Reading wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 1 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at Reading from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £215,000 in training costs, before any appearance payments. Read how it works in our EPPP compensation guide.
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Nearest other academies
Approximate straight-line distance between academy bases. Journey times by road will be longer.
| Club | Category | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | Category 1 | 22 miles |
| Queens Park Rangers | Category 2 | 22 miles |
| Brentford | Category 1 | 24 miles |
| Oxford United | Category 3 | 26 miles |
| AFC Wimbledon | Category 3 | 27 miles |
| Fulham | Category 1 | 28 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the Reading academy?
Reading runs a Category 1 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can Reading recruit academy players from?
Under-9 to Under-11 players must live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1 and a half hours, except Under-14 to Under-16 players on the full-time model, who have no limit. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the Reading academy train?
The Reading academy is based at Bearwood Park, Sindlesham, Wokingham.
Source: Training Ground Guru club profile: Reading (undated; shows 2025/26 productivity rankings; accessed 2026-10-29); 2026–27 Professional U18 Development League (Wikipedia, lead only) (last edited 2026-10-28); Reading Today: Rob Couhig speaks on the future of Reading FC's academy and Category One status (2026-05). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.