Veltman surprises AITC kids in Lancing
Albion star Joel Veltman surprised youngsters in our football pathway programme when he turned up to visit them on Wednesday (February 1).
Young footballers aged 7-11 in our Advanced and Elite Centres were taking part in a tournament at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing.
Towards the end of the tournament, Dutch defender Joel surprised the group with a special visit and a sit-down Q&A session.
Around 40 children took the chance to ask Joel all of their burning football questions, including:
- Who is your best friend at the Albion? (Dunky)
- Who is the best player you’ve played against? (Lionel Messi)
- What is the hardest team you’ve had to face? (RB Salzburg)
Joel also took the time to give the group his best advice for budding footballers looking to break into the professional game.
After the Q&A, Joel handed a special medal to each child as well as a signed picture of himself in action.
Mark Pedrick, Football Pathway Manager at AITC, said: “It was amazing to have Joel come down and visit the kids today.
“It was a special moment for them, they all had big smiles on their faces. I know they’ll have got a lot out of the Q&A session and this will be an afternoon they’ll never forget.”
Over the past few months Joel has often supported Albion in the Community, in his role as our official player ambassador alongside Women’s First Team captain Victoria Williams.
Find out more about our football pathway programme: https://bhafcfoundation.org.uk/football-participation/developing-talent/football-pathway/
This article was written when our name was Albion in the Community. As of August 1 2023, we are the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation.