Harry and Bobby – finding a voice and living the dream
For two young brothers from Eastbourne, football is absolutely everything. Harry, 7, and his 12-year-old brother Bobby are part of the Foundation’s pan-disability football group in Eastbourne. “Football has been massively important to both of them throughout their lives,” says mum Katie. She’s seen her sons grow and develop in ways she never expected when
Deian and the Foundation
For the last ten years, disability football has been one of the biggest parts of Deian’s life. Deian, 17, was born with spina bifida – when a baby’s spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. When he was younger Deian played football at mainstream football
Future stars: from the Foundation’s pathway to the brink of the Premier League
Over the years there have been dozens of young Foundation players who have progressed into the Albion academy. Three of those players – Matt, Aiden, and Will – talk about their journeys so far. MATT HAYDEN “I started football at about five or six years old. I joined my local team, Plumpton, because a couple
Bringing the Premier League to the playground
For 16 years, BHAFC Foundation coaches have supported children at Fairlight Primary School in Brighton. It’s hard to put a number on how many pupils have benefitted in that time, but headteacher Damien Jordan thinks it’s about 6,000. Damien, who arrived at Fairlight in 2009, quickly saw the benefits in having Foundation coaches and tutors
The making of Nathan Bowen
Nathan Bowen, Director of Football at Worthing FC, reflects on a coaching career that started on a Brighton estate more than 20 years ago. Nathan looks out onto the pitch at Woodside Road, where a couple of dozen Under-14s are training ahead of their fixtures that weekend. It’s a talented group, and Nathan has high