West Ham Female Player Pathway celebrates historic season as Katie Zelem and Laia Codina inspire future stars | OneFootball

The West Ham Female Player Pathway celebrated one of its most successful seasons to date after West Ham United Women’s first team stars Katie Zelem and Laia Codina surprised players during a special trophy presentation at The Foundry.

The event recognised an outstanding 2025/26 campaign for the Foundation’s girls’ teams, who enjoyed success across multiple age groups. Players from the Under-11s through to the Under-16s gathered to celebrate a remarkable season that saw them win six Junior Premier League titles, two national competitions and two cup trophies.

While the silverware was enough to make the day memorable, there was one final surprise waiting for the young Hammers.

England international Zelem and World Cup winner Codina arrived to congratulate the players in person, turning an already special celebration into an unforgettable occasion.

A season to remember for the West Ham Female Player Pathway

Success has become a feature of the West Ham Female Player Pathway, but the achievements of the 2025/26 campaign stand out as one of the programme’s greatest seasons.

Across every age group, players consistently impressed with their performances, collecting league titles while also competing successfully on the national stage. The trophy haul reflects not only the quality of the players but also the work being carried out behind the scenes by the Foundation’s coaching staff.

The celebration at The Foundry was designed to recognise every player’s contribution throughout the campaign. Families, coaches and teammates came together to celebrate months of dedication, hard work and development.

Rows of trophies lined the venue, serving as a reminder of what the teams had achieved together over the course of the season.

Katie Zelem and Laia Codina surprise the young players

As players admired the silverware they had earned, excitement quickly spread around The Foundry when Zelem and Codina walked into the room. For many of the girls, it was an opportunity to meet two players they regularly watch and admire.

Rather than simply posing for photographs, both players spent time speaking with every age group, handing out trophies, answering questions and taking part in a training session.

The visit gave players the opportunity to learn directly from footballers competing at the highest level of the women’s game. Their advice covered everything from training habits and confidence to dealing with setbacks and enjoying every stage of the journey.

Katie Zelem reflects on how far women’s football has come

Zelem was full of praise for the quality she saw from the Foundation players throughout the visit.

She said seeing so many young girls playing football together showed just how much the game has changed since she first started playing.

Growing up, Zelem often found herself as the only girl competing in boys’ teams because there were very few opportunities for girls to play in organised leagues. Looking around The Foundry was a reminder of how much progress has been made.

The midfielder praised the players for everything they had achieved while also recognising the environment the Foundation has created for young footballers.

She explained that having access to experienced coaches, high-quality facilities and a structured pathway gives today’s players opportunities that simply were not available to many previous generations.

Just as importantly, she highlighted the confidence and life skills young players develop through football alongside improving their ability on the pitch.

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Laia Codina reminds players why football should always be fun

Spain international Codina believes visits like these benefit professional players just as much as the young footballers they meet. Watching the girls train reminded her of the excitement she felt playing football with friends before it became her profession.

She said the players’ enthusiasm was impossible to miss, describing how their passion for football was reflected in every training exercise and conversation throughout the afternoon.

Although winning trophies is something every player enjoys, Codina encouraged the girls not to lose sight of the friendships created through football. She explained that medals and trophies are wonderful achievements, but the memories made alongside teammates often become the most valuable part of the journey.

Her message to the players was to continue working hard, remain ambitious and, above all else, enjoy every minute of playing football.

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Young Hammers inspired by their role models

The visit left a lasting impression on players across every age group.

Under-14 player Freya described the season as one she will never forget after helping her team lift silverware.

Meeting Zelem and Codina was the perfect ending to an incredible year, with the opportunity to hear advice directly from professional footballers making the celebration even more meaningful.

Under-12 player Molly echoed those thoughts, explaining that seeing players who have reached the level she dreams of one day achieving gave her extra motivation.

Listening to their experiences helped her understand what it takes to succeed in professional football, while reinforcing the importance of continuing to work hard and enjoy the game.

For many of the girls in attendance, the afternoon was about far more than photographs and autographs. It was a chance to see what is possible through dedication, commitment and belief.

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Developing future talent through the West Ham Female Player Pathway

The West Ham Female Player Pathway continues to provide opportunities for girls aged between five and 18 to develop both as footballers and as individuals.

The programme offers a clear progression route through every age group while placing equal emphasis on personal development, confidence and education.

Players benefit from experienced coaching staff, competitive fixtures and a supportive environment that encourages long-term development rather than simply short-term success.

While winning trophies is a welcome reward, the Foundation remains focused on helping players build the qualities needed both on and off the pitch. The pathway has become an important part of the club’s long-term commitment to growing the women’s game across east London and beyond.

Joseph Lyons outlines the Foundation’s ambition

West Ham United Foundation CEO Joseph Lyons believes the achievements of the players are a reflection of everyone’s hard work throughout the season. He praised the players for their commitment while recognising the coaches and staff who have helped create an environment where young footballers can thrive.

Lyons explained that the collaboration between the Foundation and West Ham United Women continues to play a vital role in inspiring the next generation.

Having first team players regularly engage with those coming through the pathway helps young footballers believe their own ambitions can become reality. The long-term goal remains to see players progress all the way through the pathway before eventually making their debut for West Ham United Women’s first team.

The Foundry showcases the club’s community values

Both Zelem and Codina were visiting The Foundry for the first time following their permanent moves to West Ham this summer. The pair were impressed by the scale of the Foundation’s work across east London.

The Foundry has become a central hub for education, health, employability and community programmes, supporting tens of thousands of local people each year alongside its football initiatives.

Zelem described the Foundation as something everyone connected with West Ham should be proud of, praising the positive impact it continues to make within the local community.

Codina admitted learning about the Foundation has helped her understand the identity of her new club beyond what supporters see on match-days. She believes becoming involved in community projects is an important part of representing West Ham United and hopes to continue supporting the Foundation in the future.

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A bright future lies ahead

The remarkable success enjoyed throughout the 2025/26 season demonstrates the strength of the West Ham Female Player Pathway and the exciting future of girls’ football at the club.

Winning ten major honours in a single campaign is an outstanding achievement, but the true success of the programme extends far beyond trophies.

By providing opportunities, inspiring young players and creating clear pathways into the professional game, the Foundation is helping shape the next generation of footballers.

With role models such as Zelem and Codina taking the time to encourage those coming through the ranks, the future looks incredibly bright for West Ham United Women’s pathway and the talented players hoping one day to wear the first-team shirt.

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