In a bid to expand the women’s game in Southeast Asia, the West Ham United Foundation, in partnership with EPA, has launched a new football team - the Southeast Asian Lionesses (SEALs).
Launched in 2015, EPA Bangkok has rapidly grown to become one of the leading football academies for international school children in Thailand.
With a strong commitment to providing high-quality football education, they have continually expanded their reach, partnering with the West Ham United Foundation in 2018 to offer unique opportunities and experiences to young athletes in Thailand.
This ambitious alliance has given rise to the groundbreaking SEALs project aimed at getting more girls into football, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances, opening doors to elite sports and educational scholarships.
After holding talks with the Thailand FA and EPA, WHU Foundation Director of Programmes Bryan Glover was pleased to unveil another new venture, the Bangkok Academy of Sport and Education (BASE Thailand).
“The West Ham United Foundation will be helping EPA to open BASE Thailand,” he said. “This project will enable us to help upskill local coaches and give children the opportunity to train while remaining in education."
Reflecting on his recent trip to the EPA camps in Bangkok, Glover continued: “The Thai FA are really committed to growing the women’s game and create a youth structure.
“We discussed how we can look to help with policies and creating pathways into professional sport. Our talks revolved around enhancing policies, fostering pathways into professional sports, emphasising safety, child welfare, mental health, and adopting the new academy grading system.”
The latest camp, held at the beginning of October, saw an impressive turnout of over 100 kids, with 20 per cent female participation, an exciting and burgeoning trend in Thailand.
"It was a profound privilege to welcome Bryan from the West Ham United Foundation to Bangkok,” said EPA Bangkok CEO Kevin Tarrant. “This visit inspired not just our aspiring athletes, but also our dedicated coaching staff and the engaged community of parents.
“The collaborative spirit between EPA Bangkok and the West Ham United Foundation extends beyond the football pitch, creating educational pathways that are pivotal in the holistic development of our young players.
“Together, we are committed to using football as a vehicle to build athletic prowess, character, a sense of community, and a lifelong love for learning. This visit reaffirmed our partnership's positive and far-reaching impact, instilling confidence and ambition in the next generation of athletes and leaders."
As part of the partnership between EPA and the WHU Foundation, a handful of participants had the unique opportunity of visiting West Ham United’s official charity in east London, training with their Player Pathway squads.
