About the Academy

The BW PASE Academy is a sports and education programme in partnership between Vanarama National League side Boreham Wood FC and education providers SCL.

The Academy was a pioneer in sports and education when it started back in 2002 and has since become the number one sports and education programme in the United Kingdom for the achievement and success of its students and players for 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 for 16-19-year-olds to progress within both sports and education surrounded by first class facilities and resources. We wanted to stop talented young footballers from falling through the net and give them a chance to progress their talent with top quality coaching.

With the BW PASE Academy, our players receive top level coaching from our highly qualified coaches, who not only hold a minimum of a FA Level 2 coaching license but are also fully first aid and safeguarding trained and checked. On top of this, the Academy also employs a full-time team of therapists who specialise in the injury prevention and rehabilitation of our players, strength and conditioning coaches who tailor conditioning programmes and healthy nutrition plans for young athletes, and an analysis department who analyse your performances, your strengths and your areas to improve.

Our first-class facilities make all our coaching and educational programmes possible, which have been heavily invested in over the past two decades, making them the best available within the sports and education space. These facilities include a 4,000-person capacity Stadium, a DESSO pitch within our Stadium, 4G astro turf pitch and fully equipped and functional gymnasium, as well as education suites fully equipped with the latest computer software and educational technologies.

Our training philosophy is designed to improve our players in all aspects of the game, educating BW PASE Academy players both technically and tactically. We believe that our programme gives our players the best platform to improve their game across all aspects, better than any other sports and education programme of our kind. Why? Because our track record tells us we do. Over the last two decades we have won more National Youth titles, produced more England Schools and Colleges internationals and progressed more players in the professional and semi-professional game than any other sports/education programme of our kind in the UK.

To put these statements into perspective, to date the Academy has won eight National titles, as well as reaching the final on a number of occasions, competitions that fall only second to the FA Youth Cup in terms of prestige at youth level.

In addition, we have now put 250+ players into the semi-professional game, whilst also developing 14 players to earn professional contracts and play within the Football League. The ultimate dream of every player who joins the BW PASE Academy, showing that with the right attitude, discipline and desire, we can make your dreams a reality. Namely Lee Hodson, Matthew Whichelow, Corey Whitely, Kyle Vassell, Inih Effiong, Pelly Ruddock, Simeon Akinola, Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, Ben Goodliffe, Iliman N’Diaye, Mo Faal, Sorba Thomas, Ellis Brown and Callum Stead, have played for the likes of Glasgow Rangers, West Ham United, Watford, Wolves, Sheffield United, Hull City, Peterborough United, Rotherham United, Bolton Wanderers, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, Olympique Marseille and many more established professional teams.

Lastly, we have helped 29 young players achieve the highest accolade of all, representing their countries and playing on the international stage. Of these 29 players, six have in fact made full international appearances, namely Lee Hodson (Northern Ireland), Kyle Vassell (Northern Ireland), Calaum Jahraldo-Martin (Antigua & Barbuda) Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu (DR Congo), Sorba Thomas (Wales) and Iliman N’Diaye (Senegal), representing their countries in the World Cup and Euros Finals, World Cup and Euros qualifiers, AFCON qualifiers, as well as international friendlies.

In fact, the BW PASE Academy can boast that two of our Academy graduates; Sorba Thomas and Iliman N’Diaye, were selected to represent Wales and Senegal respectively and featured in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, an accolade unrivalled by any other Non-League Academy. Sorba was a second half substitute in Wales’ group stage 1-1 draw with the United States, whilst Iliman featured heavily for the African Cup of Nations Champions Senegal, including starting against England in the competitions round of 16.

Although we highlight these accolades, we are proudest of the work we do every day with all the BW PASE Academy players, giving them the opportunities to enter further education at University level, whether that be in the UK or on ‘soccer’ scholarships in the United States of America, as well as helping them develop the functional skills to enter the work place directly.

The facts are that unfortunately only a very small percentage actually ‘make it’ within the game, and as such with the BW PASE Academy we stress the importance that our players must take their education very seriously, as the likelihood is education is what will be most beneficial to our players and gives them a platform and opportunities later in life, beyond their time with the Academy.