Participants from the West Ham United Foundation’s Player Pathway programme were recently surprised by a visit from Academy players Ollie Scarles, Kaelan Casey and Fin Herrick.
Boys from the U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s had the opportunity to engage directly with some of West Ham’s top prospects who are already in and around the Men’s first team.
The Player Pathway programme itself serves as a vital stepping stone for young players aged five to 18, helping them build essential skills both on and off the field. Participants receive technical, physical and social training, helping them grow holistically.
Training takes place at multiple locations across London and Essex, in partnership with organisations such as Leisure United, Bobby Moore Academy and several local schools, ensuring a wide reach and accessibility.
Scarles made his debut for the first team back in November 2022 in a 3-0 win over FCSB in the UEFA Europa Conference League aged just 16, becoming West Ham’s sixth youngest debutant. This season, the left-back has broken into the first team, earning his first four Premier League appearances off the bench, and winning the Man of the Match award after starting the Emirates FA Cup third-round defeat at Aston Villa earlier this month.
Casey also made his senior debut in the win over FCSB, coming on as a second-half substitute for former Hammers Academy product Ben Johnson. The centre-back went on to make his Premier League debut in May 2024 in a 3-1 home win against Luton Town. He also came off the bench against Bournemouth to earn his second Premier League appearance playing alongside Scarles in December.
Goalkeeper Herrick was part of West Ham’s triumphant FA Cup Youth Cup-winning squad back in 2023, and has this season received a call-up to the England U19 set-up.
During their visit, Scarles, Casey and Herrick shared their personal journeys from aspiring players to professionals, providing insights into the dedication and perseverance needed to reach the top level. They discussed the importance of discipline in training and mental resilience, traits that they developed and continue to rely on throughout their careers.
Scarles emphasised the importance of starting each game strong and getting the basics right. He said: “Playing in front of the fans does make you nervous, but it doesn’t matter if it’s grassroots or professional football; just make sure you do the basics well. First five minutes, make sure you get your first pass right, and those kinds of things settle you into the game.”
He also spoke about the challenges young players face, adding: “As you progress through the ranks, you’ll always face injuries and disappointments, but it’s all about keeping a positive attitude and bettering yourself.”
For Casey, the journey to becoming a professional required unwavering dedication, having joined West Ham aged six.
He said: “Being a professional requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice; we train pretty much every day, and you have to train well to play well.”
Reflecting on the young players’ session, he shared an encouraging message: “I’ve been impressed with today’s session and the work ethic’s really good. You’re never as far away from being a professional as you think, you just have to keep working hard and improving your game.”
Goalkeeper Herrick spoke about the physical and mental demands of the profession. He said: “We’re in the gym three or four times a week, as well as training, so it’s hard work. I used to get really frustrated with myself when I made mistakes, but that’s something I’ve learned to deal with.”
One of the highlights of the visit was the Q&A session, where the young players had the chance to ask questions and gain direct insights from the players. Questions ranged from how to improve technical skills to coping with nerves before a big game. Scarles encouraged open communication with coaches, saying: “Don’t be afraid to sit down with your coaches and ask what you’re doing well and what’s not going so well, because they can help you improve.”
The players’ words helped reinforce the values that the Foundation’s Player Pathway programme seeks to instil: a commitment to physical fitness, technical skill and mental resilience, alongside a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Scarles and Herrick shared how they’ve made sacrifices, with Scarles noting: “Myself and Fin live in digs, so that’s a sacrifice that we’ve had to make, being away from our family during the week, it’s difficult.”
For many, hearing young players speak about their careers so openly made the path to professional football feel more achievable, providing inspiration to participants encouraging hard work and discipline.
The West Ham United Foundation’s Player Pathway programme continues to foster a new generation of players, not only by improving their skills but by showing them that with dedication and passion, their football dreams can one day become a reality.
To find out more about the West Ham United Foundation, click HERE.