The Xcel Sports Hub
Our Neighbourhoods and Resident Involvement Teams worked in partnership with Walton and Hersham FC to organise a football training event to engage and inspire our young residents. We were delighted to work alongside the club, known as ‘the Swans’, who kindly hosted the event at their ground, The Xcel Sports Hub, and provided the training session.
Led by the women’s first team, the training was aimed at young people aged 6-17. The event came about as one of our Resident Involvement Specialists currently plays for Walton and Hersham's women’s team. As the event kicked off, the rainy weather wasn’t ideal, but once the skies cleared, everybody who took part was treated to an amazing day full of skills training, penalty shoot outs, and good fun.
Once they’d had their time on the pitch, the young residents were invited into the stands to hear from the Swans’ Chief Executive Officer, Joe Brine, who shared the story of the club. He then gave everyone a tour of the club shop, the stadium (including the trophy room and locker room), before leading the children out through the tunnel, just like the team do on match days.
It’s important we act as the go-to for families and for kids. This is hopefully going to be a regular thing. Away from the football, this is also about a social and a health programme for our future generation.
- Swans’ Chief Executive Officer, Joe Brine
Players’ lounge
The children then continued upstairs into the players’ lounge, where they got to meet the men’s first team. Each young resident received a Walton and Hersham scarf, collected autographs, and took photos with the players. Children commented that they were having fun and that they’d go to similar events in the future. One parent said, “It’s good to have these events happening as it's hard to get kids into football clubs,” while another commented that it was “so nice to sit back and watch my kids having fun.”
Monica Harding, Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton, also attended. She said that “Walton and Hersham are doing such a fantastic thing for the community, bringing these kids down and getting them to meet the players. There’s such an enthusiasm and everyone is so joyous about the event. Well done to everyone involved.”
We’d encourage anybody living locally to attend one of their future training events or just to go to a game to support their great work in the community. Find their fixture list, news, and more on website
