West Ham United Foundation International Soccer Academy is available for Boys and Girls from 11 – 17 years old (10-17 for Day Camp only) as well as for Boys and Girls Goalkeepers from 12 – 17 years old but please be aware that there are only Coed Training Sessions available during the first two weeks with boys and girls training together (since girls are only allowed to attend the first two weeks but boys can attend any of the camp sessions including the first two weeks) and there is a very limited number of girls at this camp. Soccer Club players can enroll in the High Performance sessions (12 – 17 years old only) while players do not have to belong to a soccer club in order to enroll in the Development sessions or the Standard sessions (West Ham International Academy coaches will assess players during camp and players who sign up for High Performance but do not have the level required will be moved to the development session). Standard sessions are for beginners at soccer. Please note that campers must be within the relevant age restrictions to register for the camp and that campers whose age is outside of the above age limits cannot register for the camp. Camp participants need to be the relevant age throughout the duration of the course in order to register.

We advise you to only send your child for a maximum of two consecutive weeks. This is due to the busy training schedule throughout the week and after two weeks children tend to get tired, homesick, or possibly injured.

Unfortunately your child has to be of the relevant age throughout the duration of the course.

Students should bring a variety of clothes for both hot and cool days. Students should remember to bring sports clothes/shoes, swimwear, towels, and some smart clothes to wear during the discos or school ball. Students may also like to bring their own soccer equipment such as a soccer kit (you will receive West Ham training kit for your week stay), soccer shoes, and shin pads. Students are permitted to wear either West Ham United T-shirts or plain ones; no other branded shirts can be worn (plain West Ham United or plain t-shirts are OK, no club or country jerseys). You can find a list of what we recommend children bring with them HERE (PDF).

Students at the camp will receive two training kits as they will have to train daily with the official West Ham United Foundation equipment. For residential campers only (not available for day campers) there will be a laundry service available four times per week. Residential campers can purchase a personal laundry bag (net with zip) for an additional £10 and there will be laundry service available for £6/wash. Please note that residential campers can bring their own personal laundry bag with them to camp or purchase one for an additional £10. Sample training kit (subject to change) can be found HERE.

This depends entirely on the age and the personal preferences of the student and their family. The camp recommends approximately £75 to £100 per week (in addition to the £175 necessary for the security deposit). This pocket money is for general spending (buying souvenirs on excursions, snacks from the school restaurant, etc). Residential campers will also need to bring an additional £10 so that they can purchase a personal laundry bag (net with zip) which is necessary for the laundry service of their soccer kits.

IMPORTANT: (Residential Overnight Participants only), The camp requires that all students on arrival make a deposit of £175.00 (British Pounds) (in cash only) at the school against any damage they may incur while at the school. This will naturally be returned at the end of their stay if they are not responsible for any damages. (To lose the room keys will imply a charge of £181 that will be automatically deducted from your deposit)

Yes, all parents/guardians of day camp students will need to pay a £175 deposit (British Pounds) upon registering the camper on the Sunday prior to the first day of training (deposit for late pick up of child after time of pick up at 17:45 (5:45pm)). The registration of the student during the day on Sunday is mandatory.

Camp check-in in person is on Sunday from 14:00 (2pm) to 18:30 (6:40pm) and check-out is on Saturdays mornings (8:30am – 9:30am) (Day Camp check-out is on Friday evening) at the University College London 1 Pool Street. Final Times Confirmation will be mentioned in your camp information email PDF before camp starts.

All times above to be confirmed with your final camp information details a couple of weeks before camp starts.

Day Camp practices are from Monday through Friday (daily lunch is included) (option to take a Saturday excursion to London). Day Camp check-in will be on the Sunday before camp starts (check-in day only) at the University College London 1 Pool Street. Day Camp check-out will be on Friday after the soccer activities. Day Camp participants will need to be dropped off every morning and picked up every afternoon at the Bobby Moore Sports Hub, Parsloes Park, Terrace Walk, Dagenham RM9 5PU.

The West Ham United Foundation International Soccer Academy is only a summer soccer camp. The West Ham United Academy has a scouting network to identify talented youngsters. Players need to make an impression for their local club/team.

Please note that you cannot apply for a trial with the West Ham United Academy through the West Ham United Foundation International Soccer Academy.

The first team players will not be attending the West Ham United Foundation International Soccer Academy sessions.

Yes, the majority of players attend without friends and family. Individuals will be placed in groups with players near the same age who are also on their own. The first session of every course is designed to help all individual players integrate to form a team and also make new friends.

Each camp provides a sports experience as well as a cultural experience. Many of the participants will experience something different from home as they will be in a foreign country with a different way of living. For most of the camps, participants will experience the local cuisine, special times for meals (early meals in northern Europe, late meals in southern Europe) as per the culture of the country, showers after training sessions, typical entertainment at the camp as per the country’s summer camp culture, early or late bedtimes based on the country’s living habits and more. If you feel that your child will have difficulties to adapt to a new way of living, then we recommend that you wait until your child is of an age where they will be ready to do so.

The overnight camp offers soccer training at the West Ham United Foundation Training facilities with residential accommodation being provided at the University College London 1 Pool Street. More information can be found on the Camp Location section.

If possible, students should arrange to fly directly to London. If you are worried about your child traveling alone, please contact the airline who should be able to provide you with assistance (such as Unaccompanied Minor service, etc.) especially if your child has to change planes at another airport before arriving in London. Students will be met by a member of the camp staff at the airport with a sign and an I.D. tag at the airport. The journey from Heathrow airport to the school takes about 90 minutes and from Gatwick airport to the school takes about 75 minutes. More information can be found in the Airport Transfer section at the top of this page.

Full-board is included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for residential camps. Day camps include lunch.

Single rooms with private en-suite bathrooms at the University College London 1 Pool Street.

There is no accommodation for parents on site. We do not recommend any particular accommodations and it is best to choose a hotel in the London area which meets your requirements.

The coed goalkeeper training option is available for boys and girls from 12 – 17 years old (Coed). Please visit the Details Page for more information.

IMPORTANT: Please note, you are solely responsible for obtaining all needed travel documents including but not limited to a valid passport and any appropriate tourist travel visas for the person attending the soccer camp, the Participant.  You must contact the appropriate consulate office for entry requirements and visa requirements for the country where the selected camp is located. Once you have registered your child with us, and have paid for the camp in full, upon your written request, we will be pleased to provide a letter confirming enrolment for the specific Participant. This letter may be required by certain consulates for the ‘Tourist/Visitor Visa’. (NOTE: We can only issue the letter for the Participant not for any other person.) Please be advised that consulate’s visa application processes can take many months. The more you wait, the more chances you have to be denied the required ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’ for your child and certain camps will not issue a refund.  Please check the terms for the camp.

NEW TRAVEL REQUIREMENT TO ENGLAND:

Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK is available on GOV.UK

Insurance in included in your camp. Please see details on the Prices Section but if you want additional coverage we recommend that you do take out insurance to cover personal belongings, illness, and injury. Refunds might be issued if illness or injury prevents individuals from participation or cuts short their stay on the course. You can contact the insurance company directly for details.

There are only single en-suite rooms available. Should you wish to have the room next to a friend or relative please indicate this when you make your booking online. Please note that we cannot guarantee any room share requests. Please visit the Camp Location page for more information.