Getting a chance to play for any major football club is an opportunity most of the sport’s enthusiasts would grab in a heartbeat but being recruited for your dream team before you hit your teenage years is another thing entirely.
That reality is sinking in for Teddy West who, at just 11 years old, has signed with Newcastle United FC academy – a team he has dreamt of playing for.
Born in London but raised in the Cayman Islands, his passion for football was fuelled when he began playing with Total Soccer Cayman six years ago, under TSC coach Matthias Mijnheer and 345 FC coach and TSC director, Peter Reijn.
“As he got older, at 6,7, you could see that he had talent,” Reijn told the Compass. “His mindset is amazing. Technically, he became so fluent, to the point he would wake up at 6am and train by himself until 7:30. His training was always 10 out of 10.”
Through TSC, West travelled to the Netherlands last year, on a trip organised by Orange Veins, travel partner of TSC, where he played friendly matches in the Rood-Wit U10 Tournament.
During that event, West displayed ‘exceptional’ skills as one of the youngsters of the team. He improved on that performance in April this year when he travelled to the UK for another European tour with Orange Veins. During that time, he competed against English Premier League academies, further showcasing his abilities.
Reijn noted that during those games some of the top coaches were shocked by how much talent came from Cayman, saying, “It makes us as coaches and Cayman more creditable.”
Several months later, West returned to the Rood-Wit U10 Tournament, now as one of the experienced players on the TSC team, where he scored goals against renowned clubs like Manchester City, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund.
His efforts on the pitch did not go unnoticed, as he was scouted by Newcastle United FC. After navigating their trials, West signed his first contract with the club on 31 Oct.
With West being linked to Cayman, Reijn said it will open pathways for other youngsters coming up but said there will be no easy route.
“We can use Teddy as an example now to all of our kids,” he said. “I can say, I’ve been to Newcastle and seen the intensity, so I won’t give you the opportunity if you can’t show me that you are also willing to put the effort in.
“As long as you practise and make progress, we are going to make sure you have the opportunity to get that exposure.”
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