Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has praised 7 Elite Academy’s “crucial” work with grassroots football and the wider community during a visit to one if its training sessions at its Sefton training ground.

The Mayor was at 7 Elite Academy’s training headquarters on Thursday evening to see first hand the vital role the academy plays in its over 130 young members’ lives, having grown by over 100 players in the last two years.He joined a training session involving players in the Under-8 to Under-18 age groups, before Anthony Godfrey, Global Technical Director at 7 Elite Academy took him on a tour of the 7 Elite Academy facilities. 

Since 2010 Liverpool and Sefton Councils have seen a decrease in youth clubs and youth programmes for kids in the city. Given the reduction of programmes in the region, 7 Elite Academy has stepped in to support young people in Liverpool providing workshops on the importance of academics, career guidance, and positive personal life skills alongside top-class football coaching. 

The Academy has supported 6 players graduating to professional academies such as Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, currently has 7 players on trial at pro clubs, and helped 2 players secure scholarships to US colleges. These include Skelmersdale local Olly Byrne who has secured a place at Neosho Community College in Kansas, Jon-Paul Cavanagh who signed for Wigan Athletic Academy, and Ellis Lee who joined Bolton Wanderers Academy last week.

Speaking after his visit to 7 Elite, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “Football has – and always will be – a major part of our community and our identity in the Liverpool City Region. From Premier League to Sunday league, it’s safe to say that English football wouldn’t be what it is today without us.

“The work that the academy is doing for young people and their families, not only in football but in other areas of their lives, is incredible. Whether it’s teaching them healthy living, encouraging conversations about mental health, or creating new life chances for the next generation – it’s opening up a whole world of opportunities for our young people. This is what football is all about: bringing people together for the common good, and I can think of nowhere that does it better than the Liverpool City Region.” 

7 Elite Academy in Liverpool is part of the global 7 Elite Academy group, which includes training centres in the United States and Africa. Many youngsters have been offered college scholarships and employment opportunities in the USA.

Close working links with local colleges and AFC Liverpool also mean 7 Elite Academy players can continue to train and play football after reaching 16. 

Anthony Godfrey, Global Technical Director at 7 Elite Academy, said: “It was great to host the Mayor at our training session to see our young people in action.

“We work closely with professional and semi-professional clubs in the region to offer regular opportunities for players to make progress towards a career in football. We bring UEFA and FA qualified coaches to every training session, to make sure players can make the most of their potential.

“Our coaches are volunteers and we make sure we give them the right resources and support they need to be successful grassroots coaches and give more back to players. 7 Elite Academy is filling a gap in the provision of youth activities, and using football to create benefits across our community.

“We hold regular free tournaments for youngsters in deprived areas, as well as food banks collections and toy collections throughout the year.

“Our players and staff are fully involved in all these activities, as part of our curriculum that aims for all-round development.”