Call ups at our football education programme
Former BTEC student and Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe has just been called up into the England Under 21s squad. The nineteen-year-old, who was originally part of Brentford FC’s football education programme with West Thames College, joined Brentford FC’s B-Team setup in 2016 and joined the matchday squad the following season for Brentford’s Emirates FA Cup tie against Notts County.
The youngster, who was part of the Three Lions squad that won the 2017 Toulon Tournament, will join the likes of Phil Foden, Reece James and Dwight McNeil.
Ellery isn’t the only student from our football education programme who has reaped the benefits of the initiative.
The most recent cohort of students have also received call-ups from a number of professional football clubs. Ronan Hutchins and Aderi Dede, from West Thames College, we’re both called up to the first team at Harefield United yesterday who won 6-1 against Newport Pagnell Town.
Brandonne Folly and Michael Karasinski from William Perkin School in Greenford have also been called to represent Middlesex FA at Under 18s level.
Kevin Lema, Communities Engagement Officer and Under 19s Development Coach, said:
“I am very pleased for both Ronan and Aderi on getting called up by Harefield United’s First Team. Both of them are talented individuals who we believe have a big future in the game.
“It’s exciting news when three players, who have all come from our Kicks programme with the Premier League and are now part of our education programme, have been called up by Middlesex FA’s team. Brandonne, Michael and Ronan have brought excitement to the programme and deserve their recent success.”
Working with West Thames College, Chiswick School, William Perkin School and Brentford FC, we offer a unique education programme for talented young footballers aged 16-18.
Our football and education programme enables students to study for a BTEC Level 3 sports diploma or A-Levels while enhancing their football skills. Along with a host of experienced coaches, former Brentford Player, Ryan Peters, coaches the students and mentors them on a career path in the sporting world.
For more information, contact us at rpeters@brentfordfccst.com
