Boreham Wood Football Club are delighted to announce that both Charlie Wickham and Hamza Semakula have been called up to the England Colleges squad.
The duo, who are part of the club and Barnet & Southgate’s PASE Academy, have been called up to the full squad and will represent the club, the college and their country this season.
They had to fight off stiff competition for a place in the side, proving their worth at the recent trials.
They were successful in their first trial at Oaklands College, before the final set of trials, which took place at Sheffield University.
They will now meet up with their new teammates at the famous St George’s Park facility, the home of the English FA’s national football centre.
They will travel to St George’s Park on Wednesday, December 12, before taking on England Schools in a match the next day.
The double call-up means that the club and the college have now had an incredible 10 England Colleges representatives in three years.
On the call ups, Cameron Mawer said: “I am really pleased, that makes it ten now in three years.
“Charlie Wickham has been a massive presence in defence in the two years that we have had him, he has grown and gone from strength to strength.
“I think that his performance in the Champion of Champions’ final showed what he is capable of. He has really earned his chance with the England Colleges.
“While, Hamza is one who came to the forefront quite late on, probably only in the past two months.
“He was a PASE boy and we identified him as one who could make that step up into the elites. He has been playing for the second squad and he has just grow with each passing game.
“He made his debut for the elites against St Margetsbury and I think from then on, the 18s’ results and performances have had an upheaval and I think that Hamza has been a big part of that.
“I have got really high hopes for the both of them and I am delighted to have another two England Colleges call ups, who will go and represent our club and their country. It is a fantastic achievement by all.
Under 18s skipper Wickham elated: “I am very pleased, it is a massive opportunity for me to play on a big stage, I am very happy to have been called up.
“The trials were difficult and there was a lot of talent on show, but I feel that I done well and luckily, the coaches there agreed.
“I want to thank Boreham Wood for giving me the opportunity to go to the trials and earn my place. And, I want to thank the club for getting me to the trials, as I would have struggled to find transport there if not.
“It will be an amazing experience to pull on that England shirt, it is a big deal to play for your country.
“I am really excited about the whole experience, especially the trip to Italy in 2019. I have actually always wanted to go to Italy, so to be able to combine a visit there, with playing football for my country, will make it an amazing experience.”
On the call-up, Semakula exclaimed: “I am delighted, because it is an amazing opportunity that I have been given, that will include the trip to Rome, in Italy.
“I am delighted that I will be able to represent my country, it’s a great honour.
“The trials were challenging, with the quality of player there, but thankfully I impressed the coaches.
“The club helped me loads by training and preparing me for this moment, all of their help in training got me ready for the trials and for this chance.
“I have worked really hard with Cameron Mawer, Luke Garrard and everyone else and I’m very grateful.”
We are sure that Barnet & Southgate College would agree, that everyone involved in the PASE Academy, is extremely proud of the pair and wishes them the best of luck in the upcoming game.
