Jon Willis
Arsenal Scout

Soccer Skills Challenge Scout

Jon Willis on Using the iSportScouting Soccer Skills Challenge in Arsenal Scouting

Enhancing Talent Identification with Data-Driven Insights

As a highly respected figure in UK football scouting, Jon Willis has integrated the iSportScouting Soccer Skills Challenge into his scouting duties for Arsenal, using the data-driven assessments to enhance talent identification and player recommendations.

Jon explains the impact of the Skills Challenge:

We use the Skills Assessments across our Football Trials and Talent ID Events. This gives not only us as scouts but the players an accurate understanding of where they are in these areas. It's also key information we can give to clubs when recommending players, it has taken our programme up a level.

By incorporating these objective assessments into football trials and talent ID events, Jon and his team can provide clubs with quantifiable performance data, adding a new layer of insight beyond traditional scouting observations.

This structured approach allows for a more accurate and well-rounded evaluation of a player's strengths, areas for improvement, and overall potential. A prime example of this success is Harrison Burns, who excelled in the iSportScouting Soccer Skills Challenge.

As a goalkeeper, his impressive footwork and distribution skills highlighted through the challenge, played a key role in Arsenal's decision to invite him for a trial.

The iSportScouting Soccer Skills Challenge has become a crucial tool for scouts like Jon Willis, ensuring players are assessed comprehensively and given the best chance to progress to the professional level.

Getting Started

Sign Up

To sign up for your Academy Connect account click the "Get started" button below.

Get Started

What Scouts & Coaches Are Saying

Jon Willis - UK Football Scouting
Nov 12, 2024

Jon Willis - UK Football Scouting

We use the Skills Assessments in all our Football Trials and Talent ID Events, providing valuable data to support player recommendations to clubs.

Russ Horsely - Phuket Andaman FC
Feb 09, 2025

Russ Horsely - Phuket Andaman FC

I’ve seen this platform grow into a market leader, providing crucial data and real player development skills that can be assessed anywhere.

Glen Little - ex-Premier League Player
Feb 08, 2025

Glen Little - ex-Premier League Player

The Skills Assessment is the perfect prep for Football Trials, giving us key insights into a player’s physical abilities before they step into a game.

Paul Cox - Ex-Pro Player, EFL Manager
Oct 20, 2023

Paul Cox - Ex-Pro Player, EFL Manager

Having been in the football/soccer industry for 30+ years I can honestly say there is no better way to develop players than iSportScouting.

Brian Lee - Scout
Jan 17, 2024

Brian Lee - Blackpool FC Scout

iSportScouting is a game-changer for coaches, players, and scouts. It's a must-have for smarter recruiting and effective player development.

What Parents And Players Are Saying

Feb 20, 2024

Parent - Hindley Town Bulls (u9s)

We have finished reading through the report and thank you so much for taking the time to put all the lads through. We have fed parts of it back to Arthur so he knows what he could do if he wants to improve. The level of detail means that he is under no illusion as to what he could do to build his skills. I think he dad has enjoyed it too because it has given him an indication of what they could play in the garden to help Arthur improve as well as little things like getting out on the bikes more or running. Thanks again for indulging his love of football and coaching in a way that not only makes them better players so they can enjoy playing more competitively but makes them better sportsmen.

Feb 22, 2024

Parent - Hindley Town Bulls (u9s)

We are really impressed with the standards of professionalism shown by yourself Brian, we find it speaks volumes in regards to your committment and relationship you are building with Charlie and the team. You don’t only highlight his best qualities on the pitch you also state what he has to work towards and how there is room for improvement meaning his training sessions will always have a purpose and and the end goal to always achieve better which I find gives charlie motivation and determination to be the best he can be. Football is more than a hobby to Charlie, it is his whole life, his complete passion and dream and with this kind of training, guidance and understanding I hope one day he will achieve his goals. We are looking forward to the next one to see how he has grown and we trust the process completely

Feb 20, 2024

Parent - Hindley Town Bulls (u9s)

Troy was over the moon when he found out that he had scored too marks in the shooting challenge. This has really helped with confidence and we have seen a positive impact on both training and in matches as he now knows what he needs to work on and is very keen to do so.

Feb 21, 2024

Cullen – Hindley Town Bulls u9s player

The Soccer Skills Assessment was really fun! I got to practice my dribbling, passing, and shooting, and it made me feel like a real football star. It's definitely helped me become a better player, and I can't wait for more challenges!

Feb 20, 2024

Ben – Hindley Town Bulls u9s player

The iSportScouting report is an excellent way of recording and documenting your childs progress in football, from the skills challenge incorporating key disciplines like running with the ball (over 30 Meters), Sprinting (over 30 Meters), dribbling, speed & agility, turning, and shooting to the assessment showcasing what areas your child is proficient in and more importantly the areas your child needs to work on and develop, the report gives you the ingredients to improve which ultimately every parent would want for their child, looking forward to further reports to benchmark the progress made, thank you iSport and Brian.