Lifelong Hammer Kate Longhurst knows better than most what it means to be part of the West Ham family.
The former midfielder made 130 appearances across five memorable seasons in Claret and Blue, between 2018 and 2023, and featured in the 2019 Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley during the Irons’ first campaign as a professional side.
Now a West Ham United Foundation ambassador, Longhurst returned to Beckton for the official opening of The Foundry, the Club’s new multi-million pound community hub in the heart of east London. The state-of-the-art facility is set to reach more than 60,000 people every year through over 35 dedicated programmes, generating an estimated £75 million of social value in its first five years.
“It’s incredible,” Longhurst said. “So many people have told me how the facilities looked before coming here. The opening of this is incredible, it's a great space.
“The programmes running, we've got walking football, girls’ football behind me, it’s so good to see so many events here and reaching so many different people.”
Longhurst had already visited The Foundry earlier this summer before the official opening, when she hosted the Foundation’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 watch party, as England beat the Netherlands 4-0.
Held in the multi-purpose Inspire space, the evening brought together participants from across the Foundation’s programmes, including members from Any Old Irons and the Training Ground programme, as well as young players from the girls’ Player Pathway.
“It’s been really exciting to see what different programmes are here,” she continued. “We ran a pilot event for the Euros and that went really well. It was a good event for a lot of young girls to come and watch.
“And also with the Any Old Irons, it was an initiative I really enjoyed while I was playing at West Ham. So, it's been good to kind of see them and touch base with them as well. And yeah, there’s always stuff going on in there. It’s a really good space to have.”
For Longhurst, The Foundry represents a visible and welcoming place for the next generation of young aspiring female footballers to dream big.
She continued: “It's really important because it's a space that they can see. It's a safe environment. It's great facilities, which a lot of young girls won't have. So, for West Ham to be able to put the money into helping young girls come and play, ultimately you want people that can progress and get through to the women's team.
“So, for the girls here to see the West Ham badge, to see the facilities, everything that they see as possible to become a professional footballer, they've got the basis here.”
For someone who grew up supporting the Club she would later represent, being part of this new chapter feels particularly special for our record WSL appearance maker.
“First and foremost, I’m a West Ham fan. I loved my time here. But a huge part of being West Ham is the community feel,” Longhurst reflected. “That’s something that West Ham really prides itself on, getting as many people involved as possible.
“And, you know, with The Foundry now, we're hitting 60,000 people a year. So, it's incredible that we can hit so many people. But to be part of that and be welcomed by so many different people as well.
“I've had so many good chats with a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds. And you see how it's affecting them as well. It’s really nice to be part of that.”
