Brighton and Hove
We Unlock Potential On and Off the Pitch.
A Major Premier League Partnership: Premier League Excellence Meets World-Class Education
Bede’s School is delighted to announce a prestigious new commercial partnership with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion FC. This collaboration unites two of the South East’s leading institutions, establishing a strong alignment rooted in shared values, community engagement and a relentless focus on developing excellence.
More than just a sports connection, this formal partnership offers Bede’s pupils closer integration with top-tier football, including:
Shared Coaching Insights: Exclusive access to Premier League expertise and elite training methodologies.
Unrivalled Opportunities: Direct engagement, developmental opportunities, and clear pathways on and off the pitch.
A Proven Pipeline: Deepening our proud tradition of nurturing top talent—from Seagulls legend Solly March to recent stars Fraser Widdop (Club Scholar), alongside Issy Ranger and Liam Doyle, who both recently signed professional contracts with Brighton.
Through our participation in elite competitions like the prestigious national HUDL league, supported by bespoke academic tutoring, we ensure aspiring athletes never have to compromise their education to achieve their sporting dreams.
"We are thrilled to officially partner with Brighton & Hove Albion, a club that shares our values of community, ambition, and excellence. At Bede’s, we pride ourselves on setting the gold standard for independent schools in sports development. This partnership will offer our pupils unprecedented opportunities, both on and off the pitch, while continuing our proud tradition of producing world-class athletes."Peter Goodyer, Headmaster & CEO
Top-Tier Coaching & Expertise
Our football programme is led by coaches who have competed and managed at the highest levels of the game:
David Caryer (Director of Sport): UEFA B Coach and FA Youth Advanced award with over 15 years of experience, including serving as Sussex Schools U18 Manager.
Dan Harding: Played over 400 professional games for clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, Southampton, and Nottingham Forest.
Kellie Larkin: Former Chelsea player who represented England at U17 and U19 level.
Giuseppe Lombardelli: A UEFA B-licensed football coach and serves as the Coach Development Co-ordinator for the Sussex County FA. He previously coached over four years with the Brighton Foundation.
Pro-Level Athletic Support & Sports Tech
To support elite physical development, Senior players train up to 8–10 hours per week within a balanced schedule backed by professional-grade sports science:
Tailored Strength & Conditioning: Full-time S&C coach Tony Morriss works directly with athletes on prehab, rehab, and managing growth conditions like Osgood-Schlatters. Recovery sessions include yoga, swimming, and non-impact mobility.
Veo AI Cameras: Automatic match recording and highlight creation for tactical analysis.
Hudl & Wyscout: Professional video tagging, performance stats, and opposition analysis.
Catapult GPS Wearables: Advanced data tracking for speed, acceleration, and player load to maximize performance and minimize injury risks.
Our Professional Success Stories
Bede’s has a proven track record of helping young talent transition into the professional game:
Solly March (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Liam Doyle (Brighton & Hove Albion – Professional Contract)
Issy Ranger (Brighton & Hove Albion – Professional Contract)
Fraser Widdop (Brighton & Hove Albion – Club Scholar)
James Norwood (Ipswich Town & England U21)
Harry Mills (Brighton U21 & Cyprus National Team)
Lola Brown (Chelsea, Crystal Palace & England WU17)
Sadie Gregory (England & Chelsea U16)
LeiLanni Nesbeth (Chicago Red Stars & Como)
Ollie Hobden (Charlton Athletic)
Kobe Agbude (QPR)
Max Collins (Wycombe Wanderers)
Football at Bede's
Football at Bede's Prep
At Bede’s Prep School, you will find the same vision and values as the Senior School - we aim to get the very best out of every pupil and provide every player with a football pathway. Coaching is led by Kellie Larkin, supported by David Caryer and Dan Harding. This integrated approach to coaching supports players in their transition up to the Senior School. In 2024, the U13 squad participated in the IAPS National Finals and finished runners-up, out of all competing Prep Schools in the country.
Senior Football
Bede’s fields six senior teams and three junior teams at Year 9 and 10, allowing for high levels of participation. To maintain a consistent and high standard of coaching, all of our coaches participate in comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training.
Throughout the season, players are assessed and may move across teams, reflecting their individual progress, effort, and attitude. This flexible approach allows us to ensure that each pupil is placed in an environment where they can thrive and contribute most effectively.
Girls Football
Bede’s is deeply committed to elevating the women’s game. Our dedicated, year-round Girls’ Football Programme offers both performance and participation pathways, competing in ISFA leagues, ESFA national tournaments, and County Cups.
Guided by UEFA B and FA Youth Advanced coaches, female players receive specialized coaching, physical assessments, and individualised development plans.
Elite Football
The elite football program at Bede’s Senior School serves as a vital bridge for Brighton & Hove Albion Academy players, offering a bespoke “dual-career” pathway that harmonises high-level sporting development with academic rigor. Players like Fraser Widdop, Liam Doyle, and Issy Ranger benefit from a professionalised daily schedule that integrates 8-10 hours of weekly on-pitch training and specialised strength and conditioning directly into the school day.
Masterclasses & European Tours
Pupils benefit from guest masterclasses with former Bedians and pro players like Solly March, Bruno Saltor, and Paul Scharner. Our competitive 35+ fixture schedule is complemented by international football tours to historic European clubs such as AFC Ajax, Real Madrid, and SL Benfica.
Leadership & Dual-Career Pathways
We focus on developing well-rounded individuals off the pitch as well. Through our accredited Sports Leadership Programme (Levels 1 & 2), pupils log community coaching hours in a Learning Evidence Record (LER), building essential life skills and enhancing future university and career applications.
