Former Hammers Marlon Harewood and Zavon Hines recently made a special visit to The Foundry, the West Ham United Foundation’s newly-redeveloped headquarters in Beckton, to celebrate the return of the Premier League Kicks programme.
Young people from the local community returned to the Foundation’s pitch as part of the popular initiative, which offers free football sessions and mentoring, with the added excitement of receiving tips and advice from two former Hammers. The event marked an important moment for the Foundation as it showcased its brand-new world-class facility and long-standing commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation.
Alongside a football pitch, The Foundry is now home to a range of modern, multi-purpose spaces, such as a classroom, fitness studio, meeting spaces and the E6 Kitchen, making it a community hub for all.
Emily, 18, who has been part of Premier League Kicks for the past three years, expressed her excitement around the new facilities The Foundry has to offer.
“I’m so impressed by the redevelopment, it’s much bigger than before and the café is great, because it means we have somewhere to sit for food and drinks,” she said. “It’s amazing how the facilities here have changed, and I think it really shows that they care about young people.”
Oliver, 15, who has been involved in the programme since the age of eight, echoed this statement. He said: “I think The Foundry is much more of a hub now, which is a lot better for the community. It’s a place where all abilities are welcome and it’s very inclusive, which creates a great community spirit.”
Premier League Kicks is a nationwide initiative that uses football to engage young people from a variety of backgrounds, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas. It provides free weekly sessions focused not only on football skills, but also on personal development and inclusion.
The highlight of the day for many was the chance to meet and learn from former West Ham players Marlon Harewood and Zavon Hines, who joined in with the session and offered advice both on and off the pitch.
“It was really good to have Marlon and Zavon here giving us tips,” said Emily. “A lot of the girls had one-to-one talks about their body positioning and how to improve their technique when they strike the ball.”
Harewood, a Club Ambassador, was full of praise for the initiative and the Foundation’s efforts. He said: “It’s an amazing place for young people to come and play football and it’s great that the Foundation have been able to provide such an incredible facility.
“It’s fantastic that these kids can turn up for free without any worries and just come and enjoy their football. What Joseph Lyons (Foundation CEO) and the rest of the team have done here is fantastic.”
Hines, now West Ham United U18s Assistant Coach, said: “I really like the facilities here and for the kids to experience something that’s a lot like the Academy is really special. I’m always big on helping the community, and being part of West Ham is something that’s close to me. For the kids to feel like they belong somewhere or have somewhere they can go to get away from everyday troubles is really important.”
After giving Harewood and Hines a tour of The Foundry, West Ham United Foundation CEO Joseph Lyons spoke about the importance of our programmes returning to The Foundry. He said: "Seeing The Foundry brought to life through the return of Premier League Kicks is a proud moment for all of us at the Foundation. The space is a symbol of opportunity, inclusion and ambition for every young person who walks through our doors.
“Welcoming legends like Marlon and Zavon back to inspire the next generation captures exactly what we stand for: community, connection and belief in brighter futures. This is just the beginning of what The Foundry can offer, and we’re excited to keep building together.”
To enquire about programmes, sponsorship or room bookings at The Foundry, please contact [email protected].
