Archie Gray and Kevin Danso took time out after training today to meet with a group of aspiring young footballers at our Training Centre.
The pair helped deliver a session for students from Culford School, one of the Club’s football development partners.
Kevin supported the coaches in leading a series of defensive training drills for a group of boys and girls from the school.
Archie spoke to the group and reflected on his own time as a youngster, sharing insights on the mentality to become a professional footballer ahead of this weekend’s visit to Leeds United, where he spent his days as a youth player.
Archie said: “It is so good to speak to these young players as it reminds me of my days as a kid, asking so many questions and just being eager to learn as much as possible. When I was younger, we used to have first team players from Leeds come and offer advice to the youngsters, so hopefully I was able to have the same impact with this group.”
Maria, 16, said: “It was such an exciting opportunity to meet Archie and Kevin today – they were such an inspiration to us. We have all really enjoyed today, having the chance to train at these amazing facilities alongside our friends.”
The event was organised to celebrate an expansion of our partnership with Culford School, with one of our football development coaches now based permanently at the school, helping with the development of both male and female players.
Player development is at the heart of the Club and is a significant point of difference for us on and off the pitch, impacting over 50,000 players across schools and grassroots youth football clubs over the last 12 months.
Using training methods honed across our first-teams, our football development programme supports players across all levels. The programme extends to offering support for youngsters off the field, with our Education and Football Development Centres helping young people identify a career path by providing various education opportunities alongside football.
Danny Mitchell, Head of Global Coaching at Tottenham Hotspur, said: “I have no doubt Archie and Kevin’s attendance at today’s sessions will be an experience that will live long in the memory for the students. Our football development programmes are designed to create pathways for aspiring young footballers, and learning directly from Archie and Kevin offered this group a meaningful example of the dedication and qualities needed to reach the professional level.”
Find out more about Spurs Football Development here: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/football-development/about/