The West Ham United Foundation’s Football For All programme gives students access to university, apprenticeships and careers

SCL EXTEND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WEST HAM UNITED FOUNDATION

SCL are delighted to have signed a five-year extension to their partnership with the West Ham United Foundation as the two organisations strive to improve and create pathways within football for the next generation.  

For nearly seven years, the Hammers have worked closely with leading providers of education through sport, SCL, to provide opportunities for 16-18-year-olds to complete their Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in sport whilst training full-time at the club’s state-of-the-art Chadwell Heath and Beckton facilities.  

The West Ham United Foundation’s Second Chance Programme is delivered at Chadwell Heath and gives players that have been released from academies another opportunity to return to professional football.

Developing the students both on and off the field using the ‘West Ham Way’ philosophy, the Foundation provides top class FA qualified coaches, with SCL’s outstanding educational support consisting of tutors, curriculum managers, quality assessors and operations support making the programme hard to rival.

SCL also deliver West Ham United Foundation’s Football For All programme in Beckton, a two-year education and football development programme, which gives students access to university, apprenticeships and the sport and leisure industry.

Proud of its history and tradition, the likes of World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole have all come through the Hammers’ ranks, with the East London club providing an inspirational setting whilst continuing their search for the next young stars of the future.  

However, the Foundation’s aim is to not only develop the best young footballers, but to give youngsters the opportunity to embark on a career away from football with the support of SCL’s first class education provision.    

Brad Rushton, Managing Director at SCL Education & Training, said:

“I’m delighted that we have extended our partnership with the West Ham United Foundation and I’m really looking forward to building on the great work that has already been put in place.   

“West Ham United are a club that prides itself on its work in the community and it’s great to see so many success stories emanating from the programme down the years.   

“The programme not only focusses on a pathway into professional football, but also provides youngsters with the chance to progress their career away from football and into other industries which we are equally as proud of.”  

West Ham United Foundation’s Integration Development Manager, Sam Taylor added:

 “The Second Chance Academy has gone from strength to strength and we believe our partnership with SCL has been crucial to delivering outstanding experiences to players. Furthermore, the Players’ Project has also recognised the importance of these opportunities with first team stars such as Chicharito and Fredericks offering their support for the Sporting Excellence pathway.  

“This is a great programme for the students to channel their energy into sport and it provides many opportunities for them to succeed academically as well as on the pitch.  

“Here at West Ham, we thrive on changing the lives of youngsters in the community and giving them the chance to fulfil their potential both on and off the field.”     

On the field, the Foundation has four teams participating in the flagship Under-19 Development League which is sponsored by SCL, with the Hammers’ Second Chance Academy Chadwell Heath Blues lifting the Champion of Champions trophy in May.

Victory that evening capped off a remarkable quadruple success for West Ham’s Second Chance Academy, who also added the league title, Challenge Cup and U19 National League to their honours list.  

There has never been a more exciting time to join the Youth Development League.