Are youth sport trials really about finding the best athletes… or are they becoming systems built around familiarity and selecting what already feels safe?

In this episode of The FX Factor, Kelly takes an honest look at the reality of modern trials across all sports — from football and basketball to netball, swimming and cheerleading.

This episode explores:

• what trials are actually measuring
• why younger athletes often feel overlooked
• how confidence, physical maturity and familiarity influence selection
• why one-day trials can be flawed
• the difference between current performance and long-term potential
• why transparency and communication matter
• what fair and open pathways should actually look like

A powerful conversation about opportunity, development, belief and the future of youth sport.