West Ham United Foundation's The Training Ground participants have once again triumphed at the Street Soccer Foundation National Cup, securing victory in the final against Salford City Foundation 92 in a penalty shootout. This achievement marks the second consecutive year of success for the programme.
The Training Ground is a transformative ten-week self-development initiative specifically tailored for young individuals aged 18-30 who are seeking educational, vocational, or career pathways.
With a strong focus on fostering core employability skills, the programme aims to empower participants and enhance their readiness for personal and professional success.
Reflecting on the participants' journey, Coach and Lead Mentor Paulo Borges-Garcez said: "The similarities that they share is that they're all quite quiet in the beginning. Once you get to the third week and they start having that bit of regularity, they feel safe to share and build those relationships. Bringing them to St George's Park for this competition is a great reward for completing the programme and gives them something to look forward to throughout."
The Training Ground is part of the broader Street Soccer Foundation's nationwide delivery, which leverages the power of football to inspire young people and open doors to better opportunities. The initiative encompasses football coaching, positive mindset training, mentoring support, and skills and employability workshops.
Tyler, the captain of West Ham United Foundation's team, shared his personal journey: "I've just graduated from the University of Essex, but before joining The Training Ground, my head was all over the place. I took a break from education and came to the Foundation, met new people, and built my own mental strength. The people I've met have been amazing, and Paulo has been fantastic. Ending up here at St George's Park and being able to showcase our skills on the pitch is incredible."
To celebrate the participants' completion of the programme, the charitable arms of football clubs nationwide are invited to participate in Street Soccer Foundation's National Cup at St George's Park each year.
The day commenced with the participants delivering presentations in the Sir Bobby Robson Ballroom, where they shared the personal impact the ten-week programme had on them. Following lunch, the action moved to the David Beckham pitch for the five-a-side tournament.
West Ham United Foundation participants excelled, topping their group with victories against Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the Foundation of Light, along with a draw against Chelsea Foundation.
The knockout stages saw intense drama unfold as participants displayed mental resilience, securing victories in the semi-final against Palace for Life and the final against Salford City Foundation 92, both through penalty shootouts. Amidst numerous impressive performances, one participant's journey stood out - the winning penalty taker for West Ham United Foundation in the final. This individual embarked on a remarkable path of self-development, overcoming initial doubts and nearly quitting the programme during the first session.
"Understanding his background, having suffered from low mental health, anxiety, and depression, we knew he was going to have bad days,” added Paulo. “For him to not only complete the programme but also earn a qualification by completing his level one football coaching is testament to what this ten-week programme can give you. It's been brilliant to witness his journey. And then, to top it off, he stepped up to take the winning penalty. That, for me, was incredibly rewarding."
The event at St George's Park provided an unforgettable experience for all involved, playing on the same grounds as the England national teams. This remarkable journey at the home of England football not only crowned the Training Ground participants as champions but also symbolised their growth, resilience, and journey of self-development.
If you are aged 18 to 30 and would like to be part of our next cohort of participants and begin your journey of self-development, please reach out to The Training Ground programme lead Paulo Borges-Garcez at [email protected]
