Albion academy stars making a difference in the community
Throughout the 2021/22 season Albion academy scholars have been getting involved in local communities across Sussex.
Young players have been working to get closer to local people by coaching football sessions, joining children at schools, and supporting wellbeing sessions.
By getting involved in the community, these young players can have a big impact on inspiring people to live well and get active.
Several academy players – including under-18 captain Ben Jackson – helped coach a soccer school session at Brighton’s Dorothy Stringer School in December.
“Coming to the soccer school, it brings you back to when you were younger,” Ben Jackson said.
“It’s really important because I think in football a big part of it is giving back to the community like this.”
Left-back Zak Sturge was among a group of players who delivered training drills at a disability football camp in February.
Later in February, several scholars gave advice and encouragement to young people attending a “Kick off the Wight” health improvement workshop.
Several players have got involved by helping to referee matches – scholars were refereeing at the Albion Cup tournament for primary schools back in November 2021, as well as at an elite football camp last April.
In keeping with the refereeing theme, the scholars were joined by Premier League officials Andre Marriner and Darren Cann when they coached children at a soccer school in April.
The scheme is part of a partnership with the Premier League Charitable Fund and PFA to encourage scholars to be more involved in their communities and learn about how football club’s support community programmes.
For more information about the life-changing work of Albion in the Community, visit https://bhafcfoundation.org.uk