Walton & Hersham Youth FC announces new coaching partnership with Champion Pro Soccer

Walton & Hersham Youth FC is delighted to announce an exciting new coaching partnership with Champion Pro Soccer, marking a new chapter in the Club’s continued commitment to providing an enjoyable, positive and high-quality football experience for its players.

Based in Walton-on-Thames, Champion Pro Soccer is already deeply embedded within the local football community. Through its extensive school partnerships, popular holiday and football camps, development centres and relationships with grassroots clubs across the area, the company has developed a strong reputation for delivering engaging, high-quality and player-focused coaching.

The partnership brings together two local organisations with a shared belief in the importance of grassroots football and the role it can play in helping young people develop both as footballers and as individuals.

Champion Pro Soccer’s coaching philosophy is built around three simple principles:

Fun First.
Development Always.
Life Skills Forever.

These values closely align with what Walton & Hersham Youth FC wants for every player within the club.

Football should be fun. It should provide children with opportunities to make friends, express themselves, learn, compete and create lasting memories. At the same time, the club wants every player to have the opportunity to continually develop their footballing ability and grow in confidence.

Through the new partnership, players will also be encouraged to develop important life skills including confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication, discipline, creativity and problem-solving.

The Club recognises that every child is different, with their own strengths, personality and development journey. A key aim of the partnership will therefore be to ensure that every player feels valued, supported and encouraged to reach their own potential.

Champion Pro Soccer

Founded by former professional footballer Tom Champion, Champion Pro Soccer brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the partnership.

Tom is a UEFA-licensed coach who enjoyed a successful professional playing career, making more than 600 first-team appearances for clubs including Cambridge United, Barnet, Lincoln City, Boreham Wood and Woking.

His playing career included three appearances at Wembley, winning the National League Play-off Final and FA Trophy Final with Cambridge United, as well as reaching another National League Play-off Final with Boreham Wood.

One of his most memorable experiences came in the 2014/15 FA Cup, when Cambridge United faced Manchester United. Cambridge secured a famous 0–0 draw, earning a replay at Old Trafford in front of a sell-out crowd.

Since finishing his playing career in 2023, Tom has successfully developed Champion Pro Soccer through its growing network of school partnerships, football camps, development centres and grassroots club relationships.

New Team Training and Saturday Soccer School

As part of the new partnership, Champion Pro Soccer will be delivering team training sessions for WAHYFC teams up to Under 14 level.

The Club’s existing Mini Academy will also be relaunched as the Saturday Soccer School, with Champion Pro Soccer taking over delivery of the Saturday morning sessions.

The Saturday Soccer School is open to children aged 4–9 years (Reception to Year 4) and will provide a fun and engaging environment where young players can develop their football skills, build confidence and enjoy being part of the game.

First session FREE

To celebrate the launch of the new partnership, Champion Pro Soccer is offering the first Saturday Soccer School session completely free.

The launch session will take place on Saturday 5th September, with parents required to book in advance.

Book your free session here:

www.champion-pro-soccer.com/book-now

Looking Ahead

Walton & Hersham Youth FC is proud to be working with another local organisation that shares its passion for grassroots football and its commitment to putting children at the heart of everything it does.

The Club sees the partnership as a long-term opportunity to continue improving the experience it provides to players and families, while creating further opportunities for children in the local community to enjoy football, develop their abilities and grow in confidence.

WAHYFC would like to welcome Tom Champion and the entire Champion Pro Soccer team to the club and looks forward to seeing the positive impact of the partnership across the WAHYFC community.

Here’s to an exciting new chapter for Walton & Hersham Youth FC and an exciting future for all of our players.