The BW PASE Academy is a sports and education programme inpartnership between professional Non-League club Boreham Wood FC and education provider Barnet & Southgate College.
The Academy was a pioneer in sports and education when it was established in 2002 and has since become one of the United Kingdom’s leading sports and education programmes, recognised for the achievements and success of its students and players over the past two decades.
At its inception, the BW PASE Academy had limited resources and facilities, but its vision was clear: to create an environment where 16 to 19-year-olds could develop both academically and athletically, supported by first-class facilities and resources. We wanted to prevent talented young footballers from falling through the net by giving them the opportunity to develop their talent through top-quality coaching while continuing their education.
At the BW PASE Academy, our players receive elite-level coaching from highly qualified coaches, all of whom hold a minimum of a UEFA C Licence and are fully trained and certified in first aid and safeguarding. In addition, the Academy employs a full-time team of therapists who specialise in injury prevention and rehabilitation, strength and conditioning coaches who develop tailored fitness programmes and nutritional plans for young athletes, and a dedicated analysis department that evaluates each player’s performances, strengths and areas for improvement.
Our first-class facilities make our coaching and educational programmes possible. Over the past two decades, we have invested heavily to create what we believe are the finest sports and education facilities of their kind. These include a 4,000+ capacity stadium, a DESSO hybrid pitch, a 4G astroturf pitch, a fully equipped gymnasium, and modern education suites featuring the latest computer software and learning technologies.
Our training philosophy is designed to develop every aspect of a player’s game, ensuring BW PASE Academy players are educated both technically and tactically. We believe our programme provides the best platform for players to reach their potential, offering opportunities that surpass any other sports and education programme of its kind. Why? Because our track record speaks for itself. Over the past two decades, we have won more National Youth titles, produced more England Schools and Colleges internationals, and progressed more players into the professional and semi-professional game than any other sports and education programme of our kind in the UK.
To put these achievements into perspective, the Academy has won eight National titles and reached numerous National finals. These competitions are second only to the FA Youth Cup in terms of prestige at youth level.
In addition, we have helped more than 300 players progress into the semi-professional game, while also developing 15 players who have gone on to earn professional contracts and play in the Football League. This is the ultimate ambition for many players who join the BW PASE Academy and demonstrates that, with the right attitude, discipline and desire, dreams really can become reality.
Among those players are Lee Hodson, Matthew Whichelow, Corey Whitely, Kyle Vassell, Inih Effiong, Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu, Simeon Akinola, Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, Ben Goodliffe, Iliman N’Diaye, Mo Faal, Sorba Thomas, Ellis Brown, Callum Stead and Tola Showunmi. Collectively, they have represented clubs including Everton, Rangers, West Ham United, Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Hull City, Peterborough United, Rotherham United, Bolton Wanderers, Milton Keynes Dons, Huddersfield Town, Stoke City, Olympique Marseille and Nantes, among many other established professional clubs.
Furthermore, we have also helped 32 young players achieve one of football’s greatest honours by representing their countries on the international stage. Of those, eight have earned full international recognition: Lee Hodson (Northern Ireland), Matthew Whichelow (Montserrat), Kyle Vassell (Northern Ireland), Calaum Jahraldo-Martin (Antigua & Barbuda), Callum Stead (England C), Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu (DR Congo), Sorba Thomas (Wales) and Iliman N’Diaye (Senegal). Together, they have represented their countries in World Cup, UEFA European Championship and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and qualifiers, as well as international friendlies.
The BW PASE Academy can also proudly boast that two of its graduates, Sorba Thomas and Iliman N’Diaye, were selected to represent Wales and Senegal respectively at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – an achievement unrivalled by any other Non-League Academy. Sorba made his FIFA World Cup debut as a second-half substitute in Wales’ 1–1 group-stage draw with the United States before going on to establish himself as a key international player for his country. Iliman, meanwhile, featured prominently for reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal, including starting against England in the competition’s Round of 16, underlining his emergence as one of Africa’s brightest talents.
Since then, Iliman has continued to enjoy an outstanding international career with Senegal. He represented his country at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, helping Senegal retain their continental crown in January 2026. Iliman started the final as Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time to lift the AFCON trophy once again.
Later that year, Iliman was selected for his second consecutive FIFA World Cup, representing Senegal at the 2026 tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He featured in Senegal’s group stage matches against France and Iraq, scoring his first FIFA World Cup goal in a memorable 5–0 victory over Iraq as Senegal secured qualification for the Round of 32. He was then named in the starting line-up for Senegal’s knockout tie against Belgium, further highlighting his growing influence on the international stage. Competing at two FIFA World Cups, winning multiple Africa Cup of Nations titles and continuing to perform on football’s biggest stage represents an extraordinary achievement for both Iliman and the BW PASE Academy. His success stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and the opportunities provided by the Academy, while reinforcing our proud record of developing players capable of reaching the very highest level of world football.
While these achievements are a source of immense pride, we are proudest of the work we do every day with every BW PASE Academy player. We provide opportunities for students to progress into higher education at university level, whether in the UK or through ‘soccer’ scholarships in the United States, while also helping them develop the practical skills, confidence and personal qualities needed to succeed in the workplace.
The reality is that only a very small percentage of young footballers will ultimately forge a career in the professional game. For that reason, education is at the heart of everything we do. At the BW PASE Academy, we place equal importance on academic achievement and football development, ensuring every player leaves with the qualifications, skills and opportunities needed to build a successful future, both within football and beyond it.
