The Academy Insider
Professional Football Scouting. Player Development. Real Pathways.
Professional player assessment and development with Russell “Rusty” Hullett.
109+
Players signed to professional clubs
30+
Years of industry experience
25+
Different countries we scout
75+
Professional club partners
Rusty currently works with Premier League and EFL players on their individual development.
Now, he can bring that same professional insight, experience and attention to detail to your game.
— The Academy Insider can help.
Russell ‘Rusty’ Hullett
As The Academy Insider, I’ve worked inside both Premier League and EFL football clubs, across Category 1, 2 and 3 academy environments, in coaching, player development and recruitment roles.
I know what professional football clubs look for in a player. I know what scouts notice. I know the standards academies expect — and, importantly, I understand some of the reasons why talented players can be overlooked or released.
Now you can access that insider knowledge.
Clubs Rusty has worked for
Watch · How it works
Discover how The Academy Insider combines professional football scouting, honest player assessments, individual development and potential football pathways to help players and families make informed decisions about their football future.
Four ways forward
We come and watch you play.
Professional live football assessment during an agreed competitive match, providing expert feedback, T.I.P.S. assessment, Insider Score and a clear development action plan. Scouting assessment by EPL scout Rusty.
Book live scouting
Send us your game. We analyse it.
Submit match footage from anywhere in the world and receive a professional football assessment, T.I.P.S. analysis, Insider Score, written report and development priorities.
Send your game
Turn your assessment into development.
Individual and small-group football development designed around your assessment, development priorities and action plan.
Develop your game
Not sure what your options are ?
How about UK, USA, International Football and education, UK Elite Football camps, UK Independent schools, USA Soccer Scholarships
Explore pathwaysPlayer development experience
Players Rusty has worked with during their development journey.
109+ Players signed to Pro clubs since 2007
Player journey 01
Coached by Rusty at Nottingham Forest FC.
Player journey 02
Joined Academy Insider from Canada aged 13.
Player journey 03
Coached by Rusty at Lillehammer FK, Norway.
Player journey 04
Coached by Rusty at Nottingham Forest FC.
Player journey 05
Joined Academy Insider aged 5, now at Derby County FC.
Player journey 06
Joined Academy Insider for player development whilst at Aston Villa FC.
Player journey 07
Coached by Rusty at Nottingham Forest FC.
Player journey 08
Coached by Rusty at Nottingham Forest FC.
Player journey 09
Coached by Rusty at Lillehammer FK, Norway.
Player journey 10
Coached by Rusty at Nottingham Forest FC.
The Academy Insider app
Your football journey doesn't end when the scouting report arrives. Track your progress, access your professional assessments, share your Insider Score and stay connected with The Academy Insider — wherever your football takes you.
Track your T.I.P.S. assessment scores and development progress.
View, download and share your professional Academy Insider player card.
Access and securely share approved professional scouting reports.
Contact The Academy Insider team directly from your app.
Free to install — directly from our website
The Academy
Insider
Your game. Your score. Your future.
Welcome to
The Academy
Insider, Rusty.
Your Insider Score, player card and reports — all in one place.
Not ready to book an assessment? Talk to Rusty first.
Book a free 20-minute phone or video consultation and talk through your current situation, questions and options.
Been scouted by a professional club but not taken forward? Attended a development centre, elite programme or academy shadow squad but never received the opportunity you hoped for? Or simply want an honest, professional assessment of the level you are currently demonstrating?
That’s where The Academy Insider can help.
We give football players honest, professional feedback on where their game is now, what they are doing well, what they need to improve and what their next steps could be.
Whether we watch you live, analyse your full-match footage or work with you through individual or small-group player development, you’ll receive professional insight, clear development priorities and an action plan designed to help you progress.
Their level, profile and development potential may warrant further consideration, and we can also explore appropriate player pathway opportunities in the UK and internationally through our football network and pathway partners.
Professional scouting opportunity
The Academy Insider gives players access to professional-standard football assessment from people who understand what clubs actually look for.
Players demonstrating an appropriate level may be considered for referral to relevant professional or semi-professional contacts within our football network. Every decision is based on performance, development level, age, position and suitability.
Assessment does not guarantee a trial, referral, contract or club placement.
The T.I.P.S. player assessment · Insider Score
Discover your strengths, understand your current performance and take control of your football development with The Academy Insider's professional scouting assessments and personalised player progression system.
Your technical ability, including ball control, passing, receiving, finishing and position-specific skills.
Your understanding of the game, including awareness, positioning, decision-making and tactical intelligence.
Your observable on-field behaviours, including communication, attitude, resilience, leadership and response to challenges.
Your physical and football-specific speed, including acceleration, movement, reactions and speed of play.
Professional Academy Grading Framework
Grade 1 · 90–100
Academy Standard Player
Grade 2 · 80–89
Development Centre / Elite Shadow Squad
Grade 3 · 70–79
Age-Group Standard Player
Grade 4 · Below 70
Development Player
Every assessment comes with a personalised development action plan — clear targets for what to work on next, reviewed at your next assessment.
The Insider Score is The Academy Insider's independent assessment card based on top academies from around the world. It is not an official Premier League or EFL grading system and does not guarantee trials, academy selection or professional contracts.
Match score
92
Insider score
AM
Rusty
Hullett
Assessed by The Academy Insider · Demo
See what the scouts see.
The Academy Insider journey
Simple 4 Stage Process
Call or message us to discuss your options.
Live at a competitive match, through video analysis or training session.
Following your assessment we call to discuss your develop goals.
We explore options in the UK, USA or International for football and education.
Which service is right for me?
Be seen live by a EPL Scout.
Live Scouting
I have match footage I want to be professionally assessed
Video Scouting
I would like some professional coaching.
Player Development
What's next for me? I need advice.
Player Pathways
Still not sure which option is right for you? Talk to Rusty before you decide.
Book a free 20-minute phone or video consultation and we’ll help you understand the options.
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