From AITC to future Albion stars: How Olivia and Ella found their feet
Today, more than 1000 aspiring young footballers are part of AITC’s talent pathway.
Through the talent pathway we support young players with a serious interest in the game, developing their skills and giving them the best opportunity to forge a career in football.
Our talent pathway system sits directly underneath the club’s academy programme, meaning there is a direct pathway from AITC sessions all the way to the Men’s and Women’s first teams for the most talented young players we work with.
Right now, there are two players in the Women’s Under-21 side who played at AITC sessions as youngsters.
We spoke to them about their journeys in football: from playing with AITC to reaching the cusp of playing in the Women’s Super League.
Olivia Venditto
Olivia Venditto first came to an AITC session when she was just 10 years old.
Olivia now plays as a midfielder for the Under-21 side, but her football career started when she began playing for her school football team in Year 6.
Soon after that Olivia joined AITC, where she played for about three years before joining the Albion Under-14s team.
“I really enjoyed my time at Albion in the Community, it was a good experience for me,” Olivia told us.
“It was great to be able to play on the community pitch (at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre) when you’re part of AITC.
“To be able to see the amazing facilities and all the coaching staff, it had a big impact.”
Now a part of the Under-21 squad, Olivia is relishing the chance to be around the first team players every day.
“It’s amazing, when we’re out on the pitch we get to see the first team players train.
“We’re very lucky to be training in the same facilities as them, we all really appreciate it.”
Mark Pedrick, Football Pathway manager at AITC, says that having role models like Olivia and Ella makes a big difference to the young players we work with.
“We’re very proud to see girls like Olivia and Ella playing for the Under-21s.
“It shows our younger players that anything is possible with hard work, and that there’s a proven pathway into professional football through our system.
“Olivia and Ella have been real success stories.”
Ella Humphrey
Ella Humphrey, a forward in the WU21 side, also played for AITC as a youngster.
Ella, who grew up in Worthing, knew she wanted to be a footballer from a very young age.
“I first started playing football when I was six or seven,” Ella told us, “but I had to start off by playing in a boys’ team for about two years.”
The Albion has been such a big part of my life. It’s all I’ve ever known really.
After showing great early promise, Ella was snapped up by the Albion and joined the Under-9s squad. Ella has been with the Albion ever since, having spent more than a decade associated with the club.
“The Albion has been such a big part of my life. It’s all I’ve ever known really.”
Albion in the Community played a part in her development at a young age. When she was about 12 Ella started to join in with AITC sessions, playing against boys her age and older.
“When I was 12 I played at AITC sessions with my sister, we were playing against the boys. I had a really good time there.”
Ella is now in her third season as part of the Women’s Under-21 set up, and she’s loving life as a footballer.
“It’s a really good experience to play for the Under-21s, playing matches against these high quality clubs.
“It’s been great to get that experience of playing football all the time and seeing how it all works in such a professional environment. The whole facility here is unreal.
“I’m loving my football at the moment and AITC played a part in helping me get here.”
Find out more about how we’re helping girls on their pathway to professional football: https://bhafcfoundation.org.uk/football-participation/developing-talent/women-girls/
This story was written when our name was Albion in the Community. As of August 1 2023, we are the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation.