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HOW WE DO IT
& SUCCESS STORIES
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Since establishing one of the first football and education scholarship programmes well over a decade
ago, graduates have had plenty to celebrate.
Academically, we have had many scholars graduate to top Division 1 USA Universities on substantial
scholarships as well as a host to top UK Universities including Loughborough, Bath and Kingston.
Of the 26 scholars enrolled last year, ALL 26 graduated. We set out to achieve this year on year.
We understand that our scholars want to fulfil their potential both academically and with their football.
We offer a top class education on a virtual learning platform. With a hectic and fulfilling schedule,
exciting match programme, tours and trials, we ensure each scholar can continue with their academic
study remotely and still achieve the top grades.
Some outstanding success stories include Bradley Johnson signing for Cambridge United, with moves
to Northampton Town, and Leeds United. Bradley is currently at Norwich City having enjoyed success
with them in both The Premier League and Championship.
Alfie Potter signed for Peterborough United and enjoyed some 145 first team appearances at Oxford
United. While playing for Havant & Waterlooville he famously scored against Liverpool at Anfield.
Alfie has recently returned to London to sign for AFC Wimbledon
Wesley Thomas signed for Dagenham & Redbridge before enjoying spells at Cheltenham, Crawley,
Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Blackpool, Rotherham and currently Birmingham City in The Champioship.
Joss Labadie signed for West Bromwich Albion in The Premier League although made his debut for
Shewsbury, before moving to Cheltenham. He made over 60 appearances for Tranmere Rovers,
scoring at Wembley to keep them in the Football League. Joss has since made many appearances at
Notts County, Torquay and is currently back in London at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Sean Bonnett-Johnson signed as a senior professional contract for Dundee in The Scottish Premier League.
Marvin Hamilton and Luis Cumbers both signed for Gillingham FC and made 15 and 14 first team
appearances respectively.
Of our current group of scholars we have three on trial at Barnet, two at Southend United, two at AFC
Wimbledon, two at Brighton & Hove Albion, one at Colchester United, and three at Notts County
• Three second year scholars played in a Notts County first team friendly against a senior team from The
Wooter Academy (Amsterdam, Holland) at Meadow Lane after impressing so much in the youth team
friendly earlier in the season. They are being seriously considered to join Shaun Derry’s first team squad.
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From our current second year group, our goalkeeper has enjoyed an extended trial at Brighton & Hove
Albion FC and is currently in contact with Newport County.
Our scholars have experienced friendlies against Brighton & Hove Albion, Notts County, Leyton Orient
and are looking forward to games against Cambridge United, Southend United, a Japanese J League team
and The Wooter Academy from Amsterdam.
Both first and second years had a great day at St George’s Park (The FA National Football Centre)
with competitive matches against the ISFA U16 and U18 National Teams.
As well as a two tier competitive domestic match programme, friendlies against professional clubs
in the UK and touring teams … we feel it is important for each player to experience European
Professional Tournaments. This year our scholars will attend three European Professional
Tournaments – BSC Unisson in Holland for our youngest players, AS Templeuve in France for our
older first years, and a real test for our second years with a U19 tournament in Holland – The Karel
Stegeman Tournament.
Under the name Barking Abbey, the same scholarship programme are the only team in the history
of the tournament to win the BSC Unisson Tournament two years running. Other notable successes
in Europe for that group were winning U17 AS Templeuve tournament in 2004, beating Waragem from
Belgium in the final, and coming 1st and 2nd in the Easter Open in Holland in the same year.
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Domestically, our biggest achievement under the name Waltham Forest FC has been reaching the
last 32 of the FA Youth Cup (possibly the most prestigious youth tournament in the world). On their
cup run they overcome professional clubs including Dagenham & Redbridge,Yeovil, local rivals Leyton
Orient, and West Bromwich Albion of The Premier League. No non-professional team has achieved this
before or since.
In terms of the day to day programme, we like to treat the scholars exactly the same as apprentices at
professional clubs although understand we have to give them even more in order to close the gap on
the apprentices already signed at clubs. To do this we do the following:
A periodised conditioning programme for teams, and individuals, designed by a Premier League Strength
& Conditioning Coach.
Fitness testing delivered three times per season, in person, by the same coach. Results analysed and
team/individual programmes set each time.
Opportunities to complete FA Coaching Awards and Fitness Instructor Courses – two courses
currently underway.
HOW WE DO IT
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A full-time football & education programme for 16 - 18 year olds
Only 20 places available on a 2 year scholarship
Get a first class education that will keep your football and
academic options wide open (BTEC Sport Level 3 Extended
Diploma, worth up to 3 A Levels)
Structured syllabus and method with a proven track record of
producing players for the Football League and Premier League
Bespoke match programme to meet the needs of each player
including professional and European opposition
Close links with professional clubs, UK and US Universities to
ensure each player has a secure pathway for the next chapter
of their career
Opportunites to tour in Europe to enhance player development
and explore career opportunities abroad
A comprehensive on-line ‘Performance Management Tool’ to
monitor and evaluate every aspect of each players development
Entry criteria is 5 GCSEs A* to C including English and Maths