The East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Festival brought together around 60 players between the ages of 10-12 from Football Samurai Academy, Kingston Football Academy and the Frank Soo Foundation for a football tournament at the Club’s Training Centre. The Frank Soo Foundation is named after the first and, to date, only person of ESEA heritage to represent the England men’s national team.
ESEA players account for fewer than 0.5% of professional academy scholars in the UK. The festival was organised to strengthen engagement with ESEA communities, celebrate emerging talent and create opportunities for players to be identified for our Elite Development Centres and Academy pathway programmes. Three players were selected for invitation into the Club’s Elite Development Centres off the back of the event.
Jack Chapman, Head of Academy Recruitment for Tottenham Hotspur said: “We were proud to showcase the talent, passion and potential within London’s East and Southeast Asian communities through this festival. As a Club based in one of the most diverse areas of the capital, we are committed to ensuring talented young players from every background can see a clear pathway into the game and have access to opportunities that support their development and progression.”