West Ham United Foundation delivered a special session at The Foundry, where first-team players James Ward-Prowse, Andy Irving and Dinos Mavropanos joined participants to explore themes of mindset, overcoming adversity and building confidence for the future.
The players joined young people in the Inspire classroom and learning zone, where the Employability team hosted a ‘Mindset: Overcoming Adversity and Staying Resilient’ workshop.
Delivered as part of the Foundation’s Training Ground and Employability programme, the session was designed to empower youngsters to reflect on challenges they have faced, understand the value of resilience and build a growth mindset that can serve them in education, employment and life more broadly.
The afternoon began with introductions and an icebreaker, allowing participants to settle in and share their own feelings and experiences. The players then stepped in to share their personal insights, offering a unique and authentic perspective on how elite athletes cope with pressure, adapt to adversity and remain focused on their goals.
Speaking during the session, Ward-Prowse reflected on the importance of mentality in professional football and beyond. He said: “We’re in a high-pressure environment and come the weekend we have that expectation from the fans to perform. We’re all human at the end of the day, and while we might be footballers, we do care about what people think, but it’s about having the resilience to block things out.”
Irving also took the opportunity to connect with participants, highlighting how resilience has shaped his career and development.
The Scotland midfielder said: “I think one of the biggest motivating factors for footballers is trying to prove to people that you’re good enough, no matter which part of the journey you’re on. The slight doubt in my head at times is what drives me to keep pushing and proving people wrong. It’s normal to have doubts, but I’d say to use that as a positive rather than be self-destructive.”
Irving also reminded the group that criticism and feedback is crucial to continued development, be that in football or in the outside world. He explained: “I never take any criticism coming from teammates and the coaching staff personally and neither should any of you, because it could be that crucial bit of advice that you need to take you to the next level.”
The players’ honesty and openness had a powerful impact, as young people saw first-hand how footballers at the highest level share the same struggles and emotions as they do. By linking their stories to the workshop themes of growth versus fixed mindset, the afternoon reinforced the idea that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to success.
The event at The Foundry underlined the Foundation’s mission to use the power of West Ham United to create opportunities, inspire ambition and build resilience in local communities. By combining expert-led workshops with the presence of first-team role models, the Foundation continues to ensure that young people leave not only motivated, but also equipped with practical tools to face the future with confidence.
