As well as enhancing the delivery of classroom-based programmes, the West Ham United Foundation’s new Foundry facility in the heart of east London will bring a new dimension to the delivery of its Player Pathway programme.
The Foundation’s flagship football programme, the Player Pathway is a tiered system that allows young footballers aged five to 18 to represent the Club, aiming to bridge the gap between grassroots and academy football.
Programme Manager Derek Duncan is confident that the current outreach of 500 boys and girls per week can grow even further and hopes to continue expanding opportunities for young girls across east London and Essex.
“This is my third year at the Foundation and we see the numbers grow every year,” he said. “Currently, across all programmes, we're looking at around 300 girls participating on our pathway each week. So, massive numbers and I think in the next couple of years, again with the facility, it will grow even more.”
On the men’s side, current U21s captain Airidas Golambeckis first honed his football skills at Beckton before moving across to the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath in the U9s age group. On the women’s side, Princess Ademiluyi became the first player to make her debut in the WSL having come through the ranks of the Foundation’s Player Pathway.
While no participant is promised they will reach the heights of those players, the programme’s aim is to help every young person build a toolbox of skills and understanding that will serve them throughout their football journey, whether that leads to an academy trial or progression within the Player Pathway.
Flo, who joined Derek for The Foundry’s official opening day, is one of approximately 300 girls currently on the programme, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her favourite player, Ffion Morgan, and one day represent the Hammers in the WSL.
“We have a lot of success stories and this year we were fortunate enough to get a collaboration with the women's team,” Derek said. “It means our Under-12s, 14s and 16s get the opportunity to actually progress into the Under-21 Professional Game Academy (PGA) programme. So, it’s a great incentive for the girls, which they're working really, really hard for. But again, it just shows that everything is possible here.”
As well as giving players the tools to develop on the pitch, the Player Pathway also provides a broad range of support off it.
The programme’s work spans multiple strands, offering sessions on health and nutrition to encourage active lifestyles, workshops on resilience and confidence, and guidance around injury prevention.
For female players, the programme goes even further, covering topics such as menstrual cycles, sports bra selection, and other practical advice designed to help each girl perform at their best.
The brand new community hub will support up to 4,000 participants of all ages each week across education, employment, physical and mental health and social inclusion programmes and a brand-new enterprise zone, inspiring future business leaders. The Foundry also includes health and wellbeing spaces, an outdoor gym and a welcoming kitchen and café, profits from which will go towards providing free meals for those in need.
“The new Foundry just opens up the doors to new possibilities,” Derek continued. “The inside facilities, the changing rooms, the café area where parents can actually come and sit and enjoy the games, enjoy the training.
“It’s just more inclusive and like I said, the more people get through the door, the better. And for us, the pathway, more participants means more players, more enjoyment!”
