As the new season kicked off, West Ham United goalkeepers Łukasz Fabiański and Wes Foderingham took time out to support the West Ham United Foundation’s The Training Ground employability programme.
The Training Ground is a ten-week, football-themed initiative designed to engage local young people aged 18 to 30 who are not in education, training, or employment. The programme aims to boost participants’ confidence, enhance their communication skills, and assist with CV writing, all while guiding them towards employment or volunteering opportunities.
During an outdoor football session, Fabiański and Foderingham offered advice to aspiring young coaches, sharing tips on session planning and communication. Their presence was a source of inspiration for the participants, who were eager to learn from the experienced Premier League footballers.
Following the session, the goalkeepers took part in a Q&A, where the conversation turned to the challenges of rejection and perseverance, a topic many participants could relate to, given their own experiences with setbacks in job applications.
“Control the controllables,” Fabiański advised. “It’s important not to let external circumstances dictate how you present yourself, whether it’s in an interview or on the pitch. Turn up, do your best, and believe in yourself.”
The discussion also touched on handling negativity, particularly in the highly scrutinised role of a goalkeeper.
Fabiański emphasised focusing on the opinions that matter: “When it comes to criticism, the only opinions that should concern you are those of your goalkeeping coach and manager. Stay focused on your work and yourself.”
Foderingham shared his perspective: “I’ve faced plenty of critics throughout my career. Early on, it was tough, but it helped me develop thicker skin. Growing up, I had a difficult childhood, which built my resilience. As a professional, I feel successful and grateful, so negativity doesn’t bother me. On social media, you can be an easy target, but when you believe in yourself and recognise what you’ve achieved, it’s easier to push the negativity aside.”
Following the Q&A, the goalkeepers stayed on to take photos and sign autographs, creating a memorable experience for the participants. One young attendee commented, “It was interesting to hear them talk so openly about their challenges. It’s not often you get to meet Premier League footballers and have such a down-to-earth conversation with them. They are great professionals, and I really enjoyed engaging with them during today’s session.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from the WHUF’s The Training Ground programme, please reach out to Employability Coach Paulo Borges-Garcez at [email protected].
