The West Ham United Foundation will join forces with George Cowie Football during the Club's two-match pre-season tour to Perth, Western Australia.
Run by former West Ham player and international coach Cowie, the Scot's coaching programme boasts an intimate understanding of what it takes to nurture young talent. Having joined the Club as a professional player in 1977, the Scotland youth international witnessed the team's FA Cup victory in 1980 and was part of the squad that reached the League Cup final a year later.
Cowie's camps provide a platform for aspiring footballers from Australia to develop their skills and showcase their talent. Notably, the 2023 camps in Perth will conclude a month-long series of delivery, coinciding with West Ham United's highly anticipated pre-season tour.
George Cowie Football's partnership with the West Ham United Foundation also offers a unique opportunity for selected participants to embark on an international tour to the UK, visiting some of West Ham’s main locations in East London.
“My history is rooted in this Club,” reflected the former Hammers and Heart of Midlothian full-back. “As a 15-year-old boy, I ventured to London for a trial, where I had the privilege of training alongside legends such as Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor Brooking, and Frank Lampard. I was fortunate enough to sign with the Club and spend six formative years as a young player there.
“Throughout the years, I have maintained strong bonds and kept in touch with loads of people at the Club and its Foundation. With the coaches regularly visiting Australia, our relationship has grown incredibly close. It's as if George Cowie Football has become an extension of the West Ham family, strengthening our shared values and passion for the game.”
As part of the collaboration, Foundation coaches are leading the regional camps in areas such as the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth, providing young players with invaluable training and development opportunities. In addition to these camps, the Foundation's lead coach Liton Zaman will be delivering a Coaches CPD (Continuing Professional Development) session in Perth at the Lakeside Recreation Centre. This session will have a specific focus on promoting the renowned ‘West Ham Way’, ensuring that the coaching staff in Australia are well-versed in the club's distinctive playing style, philosophy and values.
Furthermore, the camps will also serve as part of a broader Club-led activation with the DT38 Foundation. Established in memory of Dylan Tombides following the Perth-born striker's death at the age of 20 in 2014, the DT38 Foundation's mission is to improve the diagnosis of testicular cancer by implementing best practice guidelines for patients presenting testicular symptoms.
WHUF Director of Programmes Bryan Glover enthusiastically commented on the partnerships Down Under, stating: “This great collaboration between the West Ham United Foundation and George Cowie Football truly showcases our commitment to nurturing young talent not only in our local East London and Essex communities, but also on an international scale.
“We are delighted to be able to link our regional camps with the fantastic work DT38 are doing. It’s great to build on the long-standing relationship with them after delivering a wide range of DT38 activities across our schools in East London and Essex.
“These activations down under truly embody the essence of the close-knit West Ham family, as we work together with the Club to transcend borders, inspire the next generation of footballers, and make a lasting difference in the communities we proudly serve.”
Click here for more information about George Cowie Football.
