Dom celebrates success of groundbreaking Education & Football Programme

Fresh from his recent call-up to the England Men’s national squad, Dominic Solanke today made an appearance at a tournament organised for players on our Education and Football Development Centre programme - providing pathways for local young players to reach their footballing and academic potential.

Delivered by our Global Football Development team in partnership with five Further Education Colleges, the programme allows students aged 16-19 years to study full-time while taking part in elite football training three times a week and competing in League and Cup competitions for their College.

The programme helps young people to identify their career path by providing various education opportunities - from vocational courses to both A-levels and T-Levels - alongside football.

Since the programme began in 2010, 15 of our graduates through the programme have gone on to become professional players - most notably our Women’s team forward and England Lioness, Jessica Naz, as well as Swansea City and Chile national team goalkeeper, Lawrence Vigouroux – with many more achieving careers within the game, from coaching to sports science.

Dom paid a visit to the session held at our Training Centre and offered advice to the players, before taking part in a Q&A to discuss his own story and rise to becoming a professional player.

Speaking at the event, Dom said: “It was amazing to come and help inspire young people from colleges across our local area and support the great work the Club does in the community - the guys really put a shift in this afternoon!”

Paul Griffiths, Education and Football Development Centres Manager at Tottenham Hotspur, said: “Our programme is designed to inspire the next generation, provide education and career opportunities, and set young people up for the future. Days like today are what it’s all about - bringing young people to the training ground is a fantastic opportunity and having Dom down to share his own story was the icing on the cake of a fantastic day.”

The tournament was organised to celebrate the recent renewal of our partnerships with the five colleges at which the programme is delivered - Barnet and Southgate College, New City College, Hertford Regional College, Braintree 6th Form and Onslow St. Audrey School.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Global Football Development programmes impact circa 45,000 players and coaches annually.

Find out more about our Education and Football Development Centres here - or via the link below...