2025/26 Meeting Two - 29 July 2026

Foundry Tour

JSB members were welcomed to the Foundry by Club and West Ham Foundation staff. Joseph Lyons, West Ham United Foundation Chief Executive Officer, gave members a tour of the facilities and an overview of the programmes delivered at the site. The JSB said the tour was useful and helped them understand how the Foundation uses the space for its programmes and wider community engagement.

Introduction, Itinerary and Icebreaker

The Club welcomed returning JSB members for the final meeting of the 2025/26 season and thanked them for their efforts throughout the year. As part of the introduction, members took part in a ‘Would You Rather’ icebreaker, standing up to choose an option and explain their reasons to encourage discussion.

Outstanding Actions

Pre-Match Quiz – Child-Friendly Version

The Club explained that it was looking at ways to make the pre-match experience more interactive for junior supporters, including polls, quizzes and Junior Hammers content. The JSB discussed how QR codes could be used on the big screens so supporters can take part from their seats.

The JSB felt that some previous quiz questions may not have been accessible for younger supporters. The Club explained that it was reviewing the type of questions asked, with the aim of making them more engaging and less reliant on yes or no answers.

QR Codes Around the Stadium – History or Quiz of the Day

The Club confirmed this will be reviewed during the 2026/27 season, again using the QR code approach.

The Club to share the new Terms of Reference with members

The Club confirmed that the Terms of Reference were shared with members following meeting one.

Junior Pre-Match Quiz Web Form

The Club set out how it was exploring a web-based version of the half-time quiz to allow balloted participation. The JSB discussed how winners could be announced for competitions and suggested that scores or winner details could appear on screen. The Club explained that its goal wasto make the experience more interactive and give supporters more ways to engage during matchdays.

The JSB also suggested that questions could be split between junior and adult categories, with the difficulty increasing as the quiz progresses. This was noted as a useful idea for future development.

Junior Engagement Notifications

The Club explained that it was exploring targeted notifications through a new system, with the aim of being able to send more age-appropriate updates to junior supporters in the coming weeks. Safeguarding and suitability remain key considerations for any communication aimed at younger supporters.

Sensory Room Awareness

The Club shared an update from the Accessibility Team regarding sensory room awareness. The JSB asked how supporters are expected to know where the sensory room is and how to access it, and the Club advised that supporters should contact the Accessibility Team so they can receive the right guidance.

The JSB were happy with the response provided and agreed that the action could be marked as complete.

Junior Fan Zone Evaluation

The Club explained that it was looking into the potential for a junior fan zone near the Olympic Bell, with ideas including Q&As and other activities.

The JSB asked whether this would only apply to Kids for a Quid fixtures, and the Club said the hope would be for the space to work across more fixtures where possible. The Club also asked where the JSB currently see the existing fan zone spaces, with suggestions including the area between bridges 1 and 5 and Riverside East.

The JSB shared a range of ideas for what they would like to see in a fan zone, including one v one football challenges, football darts, small goal cages, sit-down football, spin-the-wheel games and simple food options such as pie and mash or pizza. The Club noted these suggestions and thanked the JSB for their ideas.

YouTube Content for Juniors – Develop short, accessible video content for young supporters.

The group discussed YouTube content for junior supporters and the type of videos they would like to see. The Club explained that it already produces junior-focused content but asked the JSB what specific ideas would be most useful or exciting for younger fans.

The JSB raised the upcoming restrictions around young people accessing social media and asked how under-16 supporters would be able to view Club content in the future. The Club explained that it would be considering alternative ways for younger supporters to access suitable content safely.

Suggestions included videos showing players’ favourite drills and the idea of an online comic for junior supporters. These ideas were noted as possible content routes for the Club to explore.

JSB Video Guide

The Club confirmed that there would be an opportunity for the JSB to be involved in a video guide showing what junior supporters can do on a matchday. The JSB were asked for ideas on what should be included.

The JSB suggested including Hammers Collectable cards, buying a programme, Champions Place, meeting mascots outside the Stadium Store, games in the programme and many more. The Club confirmed that this would be filmed during the 2026/27 season.

First-Team Player Fan Q&A Videos

The Club explained that it was looking at Junior Hammers specific content, with potential interviews of first team players. The content would be shared through the Club’s YouTube channel.

The JSB suggested birthday specials for players as a possible feature, which was noted as an idea for future planning.

Agenda Points

Priority queues for families.

The Club shared an update on priority queues for families, confirming that supporters with prams and buggies can use the access lanes. No further feedback was raised by the JSB on this item.

Junior Accessibility guide with a map to show the nearest checkpoints such as water fountains or toilets.

The Club shared an update on the junior accessibility guide, the JSB asked whether the guide could show where mascots start from and where key locations are around the stadium.

The Club explained that the guide can be tailored and made available as a click-through from the PDF.

JSB involvement in future Kit Designs

The JSB suggested that a future home shirt could include a design that recognises supporters’ groups, helping to show that everyone is part of one Club family. The Club explained that kit designs are led by the manufacturer, but if there is a consultation process, junior representation will be included where possible. The Club also confirmed that a crest consultation is due to take place this season, which will be a good opportunity for junior supporters to share their views.

Stadium Store Signing Sessions

The JSB asked how Stadium Store signing sessions are signposted to other supporters. The Club explained that emails are usually sent out, while other options such as social media are also being considered, based on capacity for the event. The Club confirmed that they are looking for suitable dates across the season for future signing sessions.

Queue for non-alcohol at catering kiosks.

The Club explained that dedicated non-alcohol queues would not be possible across the whole stadium at this stage, although it could be reviewed in specific areas. The JSB highlighted existing examples near the Billy Bonds Stand, including kiosks focused on soft drinks and food.

Various challenges fans can compete in to win chances to meet players.

The JSB suggested a monthly challenge, including sporting challenges or general knowledge competitions, with prizes linked to Junior Hammers experiences and opportunities to meet first-team players. The Club confirmed that there is already a dedicated junior quiz but noted the wider challenge idea for future engagement planning.

A follow-up on online virtual training sessions with players.

The Club explained that online virtual training sessions with players are not possible at the moment due to budget and resourcing of other junior related projects this season, but this could be looked at again at a later date as priorities develop.

The JSB asked whether any future player-led content would be pre-recorded or live, with all player content being pre-recorded.

Honesty Flags – Billy Bonds Stand

The JSB raised concerns that some adult supporters take honesty flags away from younger supporters in the Billy Bonds Stand. The group discussed whether juniors could be positioned pitchside for flags or whether other options could help make the experience fairer. The JSB also asked whether flag poles could be different lengths and whether some flags could be situated in the Billy Bonds stand.

The Club agreed to pass the feedback on to Ironworks Alliance who lead the displays.

Transition of Youth Council for the 2026/27

The Club shared an update on the Youth Council and explained that this would be the final meeting for the JSB in its current format. The Club will launch a Youth Council for 16 to 25 year olds in the new season and will share further information through Club channels in due course. JSB members were encouraged to apply when they turn 16, as this would allow them to continue sharing their views with the Club over a longer period.

No further questions or feedback were raised by the JSB.

AOB

There were no additional points raised under AOB.