What is unique about the BW PASE Academy is not only that we provide a direct pathway into men’s First Team football, unlike many programmes of our kind that have no genuine affiliation with a senior football club, but also that we have a proven track record spanning more than 20-years of providing alternative progression routes for our players.
Whether that be to go onto University both in the UK and the USA on ‘soccer’ scholarships, as well as entering either professional and semi-professional football, or even to go directly into the work place using the knowledge and skills gathered whilst on the programme studying your chosen education course.
Our player pathway is simple and consists of four tiers. Some players may remain at one tier throughout their time with us, while others may progress through every stage. Equally, some players may skip tiers altogether during their development. Over the past two decades, we have seen every possible scenario play out. Ultimately, progression does not always come down to talent alone, but rather a player’s attitude, discipline and desire.
We begin with our Category 2 and Category 3 groups, who compete in the National League Youth Alliance as well as the AoC Sport Leagues, which are operated by the English Colleges’ Football Association. These competitions provide regular, competitive football, allowing our players to develop in a professional environment alongside like-minded players and coaches.
The next stage in our player pathway is our Under 18’s group. This is a highly competitive level where we aim to compete for both league and cup honours every season. This group also has the opportunity to compete in the prestigious FA Youth Cup. If drawn at home, these fixtures are played at Meadow Park Stadium, where the players are treated in exactly the same way as the First Team in every aspect.
Progression from our Under 18’s group leads into our Under 19’s National League Football Academy squad. The National League Football Academy is a prestigious accreditation awarded only to the leading academies of our kind that satisfy demanding criteria in relation to facilities, coaching standards and overall provision. We are one of approximately 30 academies nationwide to have achieved this accreditation and compete within the Southern Division.
In addition to league fixtures, our Under 19’s also represent the Club in national cup competitions, including the National League Youth Alliance Cup and the English Colleges’ FA National Cup, both of which we aim to compete for year after year.
Boreham Wood FC has a proud history of providing a clear and achievable pathway from the Academy into the First Team. Year-after-year, Academy players train regularly with our First Team squad while also earning squad numbers and opportunities to feature in senior matchday squads.
Our staffing structure further strengthens this player pathway by integrating the Academy and First Team. Several First Team coaches and players also undertake coaching roles within the Academy, creating a strong connection between both environments. This continuity provides excellent synergy throughout the Club and helps ensure that players are developed in a consistent manner, with a genuine opportunity to progress into senior football.
Of all the stages within our player pathway, progressing to become an established First Team player is undoubtedly the most challenging. However, this journey should be broken down into smaller, realistic milestones. We encourage players to focus on objectives such as training regularly with the First Team, earning a squad number, being selected in a matchday squad, making the bench, making a senior appearance – perhaps in the National League Cup – and ultimately making their full First Team debut.
