Impact Stories

Young attacker Abi has played in the BHAFC Foundation’s talent pathway for five years.

12-year-old Abi is one of many success stories to come out of the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation’s talent pathway in recent years.

Abi, from Worthing, has been playing with the Foundation since she was seven years old and hopes to be next in line to graduate from the talent pathway and make it into academy or first team football; a path trodden by dozens of other Foundation graduates.

Her favourite Albion player is Fran Kirby, and she also looks up to England captain Leah Williamson.

“Whenever I watch her play my heart is bursting with pride,” mum Claire told us, “I never miss a training session, a match, tournament, anything.”

Abi has been playing football since she was just five years old, starting out at local side Worthing Town.

She joined the Foundation’s talent pathway five years ago at the age of seven after a recommendation from one of her teachers.

“Abi’s PE teacher at the time worked for the Albion and thought she’d be a good fit for the Foundation’s talent pathway,” Claire said, “He put us in touch, we brought Abi along to the Pathway Centre in Worthing, and they thought she was good enough to play at the Advanced Centre pretty much straight away.”

Abi has played with the Foundation for five years – as well as two years playing at the club academy’s emerging talent centre – and mum Claire says they’ve stuck with the talent pathway for so long because of the quality of Abi’s coaches.

“In my opinion the coaches are the best aspect of the talent pathway, I can’t fault any of them whatsoever,” she said, “they’re all next level.”

“Their attitude, the coaching they provide to the girls, their advice, it’s all unbelievable. You won’t find any better. They’ve all been amazing with Abi, in particular her coaches Jimmy and Ben. They’ve been like brothers to her, winding each-other up and providing so much support.”

Abi plays as a striker or attacking midfielder, and her mum has loved watching her grow and develop as a player over the years.

“They see her as a real utility player and she can play almost anywhere, but I think she’s definitely best as a striker,” Claire said.

“She’s been told that she plays like Alessia Russo, which is a nice comparison!

“The physical side to her game is fantastic, and she puts in a brilliant through ball. She’s so confident coming up against other players, and that’s all down to what she’s learned at Brighton.”

Beyond her development as a player, Claire says that having football has been an important part of Abi’s life as a young person.

“Playing at the Foundation has kept her focused and given her something positive to do, keeping her grounded and given her something solid throughout harder times.

“When she’s had uncertainty moving schools, going up to secondary school, she’s always had football as a constant. She loves it.”

Last season was Abi’s final year with in the Advanced Centre, and she has now moved on to pursue her goal of finding a career in professional football.

“She made the hard decision to leave to follow her dreams to be a professional. She’s playing with girls a year older than her and really enjoying this new challenge. She’s always wanted to play professionally, and it’s still one of her dreams.

“Brighton will always be special for her and hold a place in our hearts, we’ve loved every second of it. She’s made lifelong friends there and has so many amazing memories.

“She’ll always remember her time with the Foundation.”