Portsmouth Hub
Portsmouth's football legacy is inspiring the next generation through the Alan Ball Football Academy.
What is the Alan Ball Football Academy?
The academy was launched in September to help disengaged Year 10 and 11 students in Portsmouth.
It provides full-time schooling and has seen its first cohort gain nationally-recognised qualifications. Many pupils have taken part in work experience programmes, giving them confidence and motivation to secure a job or further training.
How does the academy work?
Nigel Himmel from SET Extended Learning said: “We chose to name the academy after Alan Ball because he is legendary in the city.” The program breaks the cycle of fear and failure in students and builds trust and confidence.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| School attendance | 85% |
| Previous attendance | 15% |
What comes next for Portsmouth?
As of 2026-06-23, Portsmouth stands 18th in the League with 55 points from 46 games. Their recent form is DWLWW, with the last result being Portsmouth 1-1 Birmingham on 2026-05-02. The next fixture is vs Aldershot Town on 2026-07-15.
The academy is also working with the University of Portsmouth to run part of their physiotherapy course from the academy. This partnership will provide more opportunities for youngsters to engage in education and training.
