The West Ham United Foundation believes in helping individuals, groups and communities to fulfil their potential.
We pride ourselves on creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, providing pathways for young people to succeed both on and off the pitch.
Players from a range of the Foundation’s football development programmes came together at West Ham United’s Academy of Football, located in Chadwell Heath, for a day filled with competition and comradeship.
The activity featured a variety of our football players and partners, both domestic and international. With ages eight to 18 in attendance, players relished the chance to put their skills to the test in this team focused event.
In addition, it was another great chance for Foundation teams to utilise the Smart Timer training model, which allows coaches and players to establish benchmarks and goals, and monitor progress and improvements over time.
The groups going head-to-head throughout the day included:
⚒ Player Pathway teams competing against our international partner teams from George Cowie Football, based in Australia.
⚒ Post-16 Football and Education teams taking part in a showcase fixture against our Choices International squad.
Player Pathway Programme: Building future football talent
The Player Pathway Programme is at the core of our mission to nurture and develop young footballers. Designed to offer a clear route for progression within our player development model, it provides structured coaching, technical development, and match experience for players aged five to 18.
Derek Duncan, Senior Programme Manager for the Player Pathway, captured the essence of the event, saying: "it was an incredible event where our Player Pathway participants had the chance to play at the iconic West Ham United Academy at Chadwell Heath.
“Competing and connecting with clubs from around the world, such as, George Cowie Football from Australia, is an invaluable experience that creates unforgettable memories for our Player Pathway teams.
“We’re proud to offer these experiences and look forward to creating many more in the future."
Post-16 Football and Education programmes: Striving for success on and off the pitch
The Foundation’s Choices International programme extends its mission of developing young talent to an international level. Through this programme, young players from around the world have the chance to experience the West Ham United Foundation’s coaching philosophy and play in high-level matches under expert guidance.
The Showcase Game is the pinnacle of the Choices International Programme, giving participants the chance to display their talent in front of scouts and professional clubs.
This exposure offers players a potential pathway to professional football or educational scholarships, while highlighting West Ham’s commitment to developing football talent on a global scale.
Sam Taylor, Senior Programme Manager for Post-16 pathways and International Delivery, praised the event and its participants, stating: "I was really impressed by the standard of both teams today, and it’s clear to see the hard work that’s gone into the trial and sign-up process across both squads. Playing here in the Mark Noble Arena, at the fantastic Chadwell Heath training ground, gives all players a chance to experience what it’s like to be a professional player for West Ham United.
“The talent on show today was watched by several senior figures within the Club and Foundation, so I hope these players use this as a positive experience for the remainder of the season.
“With our Choices International programme we want to continue expanding our partners and working across the globe to improve young players technical skills in a safe and enjoyable environment.”
Furthermore, across the Foundation’s community work, football often acts as a hook for educational engagement and raising of aspirations.
The Post-16 Football and Education programme with SCL involves a comprehensive offer which gives young players the chance to pursue academic qualifications while receiving high-quality coaching.
Students have opportunities to earn BTEC Level 3 Diplomas in Sport while continuing to develop their football skills with a mix of training and match play. The combination of academic study and professional-level training ensures that students are well-prepared for a range of future careers.
For players who may not have found their breakthrough early in their careers, our Second Chance Academy Programme offers a fresh possibility. Designed for young players released by professional clubs or those looking for a new platform, the programme provides expert coaching, mentoring, and career advice and guidance.
The young people gain the chance to play in showcase matches, allowing them to demonstrate their abilities in front of scouts and clubs. The ultimate goal is to help these players re-enter the professional football environment or explore new career paths within the sport.
Grassroots to Performance
The Foundation’s domestic and international football programmes and partnerships have continued to grow and strengthen over the past decade. As a result, thousands of people have gone on to take the next step in their learning, qualifications, skills, football dreams and much more.
When discussing the impressive football development initiatives and valued global partners, the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Bryan Glover, said: "Today showcased the breadth of programs we offer, and it was great to see that our new partnership with Smart Timer has been fully integrated across the pathway.
"We’re continuing to focus on delivering player development opportunities and establishing partnerships which enable us to continue to foster talent and provide unique and team-centred experiences on an international platform.
“Looking across the pitches here at Chadwell Heath, it was fantastic to see each of the teams flourishing and making the most of the exhibitions and the Showcase Game to put their learning into practice. I want to say a huge thank you to all our incredible partners who we feel truly connect with our ambitions, as well as Trevor Lewin and West Ham United Academy for hosting us.
“We are already starting to see some fantastic developments across our international delivery model with a key highlight so far this season being the signing of a player from our partners in Thailand, BASE, into our Under-18 Women’s Foundation youth team. Furthermore, three of our U18 players have also been selected to represent their countries”.
For more information, please contact the below:
Derek Duncan - Senior Programme Manager for Player Pathway Programme -[email protected]
Sam Taylor - Senior Programme Manager for International Delivery and Post-16 Football and Education - [email protected]
