Harrybessellfootball

Harry’s back in his happy place.
1st week of Pre season training with The FAB Academy and Varsity 9 was brilliant, tough and painful, all his muscles ache, but the mind is focussed and he’s loving being back on ball.

First week finished in a showcase match. His team won 5-2 but the score wasn’t really important. He is back it and already winning as first session no broken bones!!!

Next week he turns 17 and Dads there to celebrate his birthday another milestone as he also begins pre-season training with Flackwell Heath FC men’s reserves…..very very exciting!

New kit and Harry is ready to go for his first showcase match. Dad happy to watch, same spot 6 months apart - January was Harrys trial in snow and ice ……now heatwave! FAB Football Academy

Here’s a few photos of the FAB Academy UK facilities - 3G pitch, hybrid pitch, grass pitch, 3 gyms - just quality facilities

NEW DIRECTION - SAME GOAL

A little update on Harry’s football journey for everyone who has supported him along the way.

After an incredible first year with Sunshine Coast FC International, it was time to decide what came next….repeat or grow?

Living 10,000 miles from home at just 16 taught Harry far more than just football. He learnt independence, resilience and self-belief. He developed technically and physically, and despite suffering a broken ankle at the very start of the season, he showed remarkable patience and determination through four months of rehabilitation before returning to play every available match from January onwards.

Then came the debate what next….he was adamant he did not want to return to Oz and ‘give up on his dream’ he felt he had more to give and rather than simply repeating another year, Harry wanted to grow, and challenge himself again so mum and Dad started looking at alternative options.

This decision was HUGE because it meant changing not only football academies, but also education systems. From January to May, he withdrew from the Oz education system and independently completed his studies through the UK GCSE curriculum before sitting his English and Maths GCSE exams at a local comprehensive school. The law has changed and he has to have GCSE English and math to complete 6th form (grade 11&12 in Uk) It took so much courage to homeschool himself, adapt to a completely different education system and walk into an unfamiliar examination hall at a local school to sit the national exams. We couldn’t be prouder.

So the next chapter is officially underway.

Harry has signed with FAB Academy UK, a residential football academy based at the incredible Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Buckinghamshire. Set on the banks of the River Thames, Bisham Abbey was the former England football training base before St George’s Park and is now one of the UK’s premier elite sports facilities, home to many Olympic and elite athletes.

The academy is affiliated with Varsity 9 sports management and Milton Keynes Dons, creating exciting opportunities for players to continue their development, scholarships in USA etc.

Pre-season began this week, and so Harry flew back with David and has settled into his new home. Harry also been invited to train with Flackwell Heath FC’s reserves which will offer valuable senior football experience alongside his academy programme.

Flackwell Heath F.C. founded in 1907, is an English football club based near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. They compete in the Southern Football League Division One Central and play their home matches at Wilks Park.

This week it’s training, back in the gym, skills and friday offers his first showcase event, where he’ll have another opportunity to put himself in front of coaches and potential scouts.

From here, it’s over to Harry.
Talent opens doors, but hard work, consistency and attitude are what keep them open. We know he’ll give everything he’s got.

Before heading back to England, we were lucky enough to have him home in Australia for a little month. We squeezed in plenty of family time, he went to Sydney for a week to catch up with his brother at his army base, as a family we celebrated together his sisters 18th and Christmas in July, organised his Australian driver’s licence (only a year late) but got him behind the wheel for a few lessons and filled his cup (and ours) with lots of hugs before saying goodbye again.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support, encourage and cheer Harry on. It genuinely means the world to our family. Here’s to the next chapter.

Link - video, 'fab academy uk'

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYAF81LAIbJ/?igsh=MTk1ZGFhd2tkcDVseQ==

Varsity Nine 🤝 FAB Academy Marking a major step forward in the delivery of elite football development through a long-term strategic partnership!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwdKgXVhq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Another great opportunity

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aqqL25S7R/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Meanwhile - His older brother Tom was in hospital in Sydney for surgery - shoulder reconstruction. Dad had flown down to be with him and together they watched Harry after he’d come out of his Op with Mum and Daisy watching in Brisbane.