PLAYERS AT
THE CENTRE OF
EVERYTHING
ABOUT US
As a community football club we are committed to providing a safe, fun and engaging football experience for boys and girls aged 4 and upwards in walton, hersham and the surrounding areas. we’re run by a dedicated band of volunteers – largely parents – who live locally.
Our enthusiastic young footballers benefit from the high quality coaching delivered by FA accredited coaches who are the centre of everything we do. This gives them the opportunity to learn, develop and master the technical, social, physical and character-building attributes of the game.
By creating the best environment possible for our players, we aim to help them develop and reach their potential – both on and off the pitch.
The result? Boys and girls with a life-long love of football and a strong ethical foundation built on respect and teamwork to take them forward.
"Over the last 8 years our boys have developed immensely as footballers at Walton & Hersham Youth FC. It’s both a fun and competitive club with exceptional coaches and managers promoting strong values and teamwork"
Victoria Vigrass (parent)
Club Philosophy
WE BELIEVE
that players of all abilities should have the opportunity to play team football.
WE COACH
our footballers to play with a smile, make their own decisions, take on opponents where appropriate and learn from their experiences.
WE ENCOURAGE
players to be confident and positive in possession and to play out from the back. We promote good movement and rotation of positions in attack.
WE WORK
hard to win the ball back when we lose possession.
WE VALUE
teamwork alongside individual achievement.
WE PLAY
football in all areas of the pitch – attack and defence are everyone’s responsibility.
WE WANT
to win, but we also know we can learn just as much on the days when we don't.
OUR PLAYERS
respect themselves, each other, their opponents, their coaches and referees.
OUR PLAYERS' PARENTS
understand that long-term development is more important than any one goal, match or competition.
WE LOVE
football and we want our young people to love football too.
Our History
The club’s journey began in 2012 with the start of Mini Academy sessions every Saturday morning at the Elm Grove Recreation Ground in Walton on Thames.
The increasing popularity of Mini Academy led to the official launch of Walton & Hersham Youth FC in 2014.
From small acorns...
The 2014/15 season saw us start with just two under-7s teams – the Swans and the Robins. Now, as we move into our 13th season, more players than ever before proudly wear the Walton & Hersham Youth FC badge. The 2026/27 season will see us field teams from the under-7s up to the under-18s.
The 2019/20 season was our first as an FA Charter Standard Club, following our recognition by the FA for our positive work over the last few years.
We couldn’t have achieved any of this without the hard-working group of volunteers who run our club. If you’re interested in joining them, please contact
Our Coaches
We are delighted to be working with Champion Pro Soccer as our official coaching partner. Champion Pro Soccer is a football coaching company deeply embedded in our local community and led by ex-professional footballer Tom Champion. Tom and his team of coaches are committed to delivering fun, high-quality, player-focused coaching that supports the long-term development of young players. All coaches are DBS-checked, experienced, and focused on creating the best environment for players to thrive, enjoy themselves, and develop. Champion Pro Soccer’s coaching philosophy is built around three simple principles:
FUN first
DEVELOPMENT always
LIFE SKILLS forever
We strongly believe in the positive long-term impact of football on young lives, and we are committed to helping players develop as people by building important life skills such as resilience, teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
Our Long Term Player Development Model is as follows:
| Ages 4 to 6 | DISCOVER & ENJOY: Football begins with fun, movement and exploration. Players are encouraged to enjoy having the ball, experiment freely, develop basic movement and coordination, and build confidence. The priority is to create a positive and enjoyable football experience. |
|---|---|
| Ages 7 to 9 | EXPLORE & DEVELOP: Players begin to develop greater ball mastery, 1v1 ability, creativity and decision-making. We encourage children to stay on the ball, be brave, try new things and solve problems for themselves, without being concerned with tactics or results. |
| Ages 10 to 12 | CONNECT & UNDERSTAND: Individual skills continue to develop while players learn how to connect and combine with teammates. Greater understanding of attacking, defending and transition. |
| Ages 13 to 15 | DEVELOP & APPLY: Players are challenged to apply their technical skill with greater speed, intelligence and tactical understanding. Individual development remains key, while players learn to recognise situations, understand roles and responsibilities and work as a team. |
| Ages 16 to 18 | PERFORM: Players are encouraged to become independent, intelligent and responsible footballers, capable of adapting to different game situations while retaining creativity and individuality. Greater emphasis on performance and tactical understanding. |
"We pride ourselves on having a real impact on the long term development of young players, to build their skills in order to positively impact their lives on and off the pitch"
Tom Champion
Club Committee
As a community club Walton & Hersham Youth FC depends on volunteers to manage and run almost every aspect of what we do.
Our Club Committee is broadly made up of players’ parents, without whom we would not be able to grow and support our young footballers. We are always keen to welcome new faces onto the Club Committee or into the wider support group. We’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch with us via Gemma Condron if you are interested in helping or lending a hand, either formally or informally.
Sarah Tricker
Match Day Co-ordinator
Join our Club
Walton & Hersham Youth FC is a great place for boys and girls to learn new skills, develop enduring friendships and discover a life-long love of football. For more information please contact: