Academy Director Terry Westley is looking forward to welcoming coaches from the local community through the doors at Chadwell Heath after the launch of the West Ham United Academy’s Official Coaching Association.
The new scheme will permit local grassroots coaches to experience best practice sessions from members of the West Ham set-up, including former England U21 boss Stuart Pearce, in the form of quarterly learning events at Chadwell Heath, the famed Academy of Football.
Westley will head up the FA-endorsed programme and the Academy Director is eager to share his knowledge and experience with coaches who are keen to learn and develop.
“We’re trying to find an idea where we can bring the coaching fraternity of grassroots football along with West Ham,” Westley said. “We’re starting an initiative where we are going to invite community coaches into the football Club, along to four masterclass coaching events, and local clubs will be able to apply and join that scheme.
We very much look forward to opening our doors to the local community down at Chadwell Heath
Terry Westley
“We very much look forward to opening our doors to the local community down at Chadwell Heath.”
Annual subscriptions to the Coaching Association are available and include monthly coaching-led digital content, a pre-booked place at all four events, exclusive coaching materials and learning aids.
An annual subscription is available for an annual fee of just £80, or alternatively book onto any of quarterly events priced at £30 per session.
Having joined the Hammers in 2014, Westley has overseen a host of Academy prospects get their chance in the first team with the likes of Reece Oxford, Martin Samuelsen, and most recently, Declan Rice all earning an opportunity in the senior side.
Speaking about Rice Westley added: “The home supporters want home grown players and Declan has really embraced that. He’s our U23s captain and he’s stepped into the team after a very good pre-season, and he’s played one or two games and done very well.”
When asked who he saw making the breakthrough next from his Academy players Westley named Nathan Holland, who made his first team debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers earlier this season.
“I think Nathan Holland is the next one. He’s done really well but an injury has kept him away from it. Toni Martinez’s goalscoring record speaks for itself but there’s a lot of good strikers at the club.”