As part of the West Ham United Foundation’s Players’ Project, we were proud to visit Brentwood County High School, a school with a strong sporting culture and an evident passion for developing young talent.
More than 100 students gathered to hear from some of West Ham’s first team and rising stars, as they shared their journeys, offered expert advice, and gave live coaching support during small-sided games.
First-team squad members Kaelan Casey and Wes Foderingham accompanied Academy players Junior Robinson and Mason Terry to the Essex school. There, the players opened up about some of the highs and lows of their journeys so far, offering insights that went beyond football.
“Football is full of highs and lows,” said goalkeeper Terry, who is currently on loan at National League South club Hornchurch. “Winning the FA Youth Cup by beating Arsenal 5-1 at the Emirates in front of 35,000 people is one of my best memories in football, but I’ve also faced challenges.
“When I was younger, I broke my arm and was out for a couple of months, but I had to be resilient and disciplined. Doing my rehab made me a better person, so never give up, keep your discipline and always have a good attitude.”
Defender Casey, who made his Premier League debut against Luton Town in May 2024 and is now a part of the first-team squad, gave a powerful message on the value of perseverance.
The 20-year-old said: “Everyone has setbacks, whether that’s an injury, or maybe you’re not playing or performing well, but it’s about sticking to what you know and speaking to those close to you.”
Full-back Robinson, an England U15 and U17 international, opened up to students about both his proudest moments and most difficult obstacles: “Playing for England was an amazing moment for me and my family, but I’ve also had my setbacks.
“I once fractured my patella and was out for six to seven months, which was tough. You’ve got to focus on the things you can control and how you can improve once you’re back. Whether it’s football or education you’ve got to be mentally strong to persevere with anything in life.”
After the talks, the players moved outside to observe and support during small-sided games, offering tactical insight, encouragement and individual feedback to young students looking to develop their game.
“It’s been really good hearing from professional players, I feel like I’ve been given a lot of helpful advice that I can use to improve,” said one excited student.
The visit to Brentwood County High is just one example of the day-to-day work being done by the West Ham United Foundation. With over 35 programmes and initiatives delivered every year and reaching more than 50,000 people annually, the Foundation’s mission is to use the power of football to educate, inspire and change lives, on and off the pitch.
Through our Hub Schools programme, we work directly with partner schools like Brentwood County High to deliver tailored support in education, mental well-being, leadership development and physical activity. These partnerships give students access to unique opportunities, from mentoring and personal development workshops to direct engagement with West Ham players and coaches.
Whether it's hosting career insight days, promoting healthy lifestyles or building confidence through sport, our work in schools is driven by one goal: to unlock the full potential of every young person we meet.
Want to learn more about the Players’ Project and our community work in schools? Click HERE.
