WE’RE SPEAKING TO LOCAL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT SPORTS ACROSS THE AREA TO FIND OUT
THEIR MOTIVATION AND AMBITION ABOUT TAKING PART IN THE
SPORTS THEY LOVE IN OUR ‘ONE TO WATCH’ FEATURE.
NAME> ADAM GRANGE
AGE: 15
SPORT: FOOTBALL
CLUB: PORTSMOUTH FC
RISING
HI ADAM, TELL US HOW YOU FIRST GOT
INTO FOOTBALL?
I started playing football when I was about 6
years and went on to playing more seriously
at weekly training sessions at Roko in Kinson.
This was run every Saturday morning for 1
hour every weekend for the whole year.
WHEN WERE YOU SIGNED TO
PORTSMOUTH FC AND DESCRIBE HOW
THAT FELT?
I got scouted by Portsmouth whilst playing in
the Bournemouth Cup Final in 2012; this was
for my club team Poole Town Youth. I then
got invited to attend a 6 week trial with other
talented players from all over the Southern
region; this led to me signing a 2 year
contract. I was very proud of myself as well as
very excited.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING
WITH PORTSMOUTH AND ARE YOU
HOPING TO STAY WITH THEM IN THE
NEAR FUTURE?
I signed for Portsmouth in 2012 and I have
just been offered another year’s contract, this
will take me until I leave the Federation of
Glenmoor & Winton Academy in 2015. I hope
that this will be extended and I can stay at the
club on a full time basis.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF
YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER SO FAR?
The highlight of my career so was scoring a
goal against Chelsea at their training ground
playing against David Beckhams
son, Brooklyn. It was the best feeling
of my career so far.
Adam Grange is a pupil at Federation of Glenmoor & Winton
Academy in Bournemouth and plays for Portsmouth Football Club.
Football is his main sport and what he focuses on mostly, but does
enjoy playing other sports such as athletics where I have recently
reached county trials and will be representing Winton School and
Bournemouth. Adam comes from a very sporting family with his mum,
dad, older brother and younger sister who all play their own sports.
Over the past 2-3 years they have had AFC Bournemouth football
players living with them including Steve Cook and current Portsmouth
player, Wesley Fogden. This has given Adam a real insight into the
life of a professional sports person and has helped prepare him for the
future that he hopes to have.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAIN AT
THE CLUB?
I train twice a week at the club one being
training all day on a Thursday which results
in me missing school every Thursday. The
school supports me in my football by allowing
me to miss the school day. In this day off we
do a gym session, two football sessions and
a video analysis of the game the previous
weekend that we all took part in.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR TRAINING
WITH SCHOOL WORK AND STUDYING?
I try my best to stay focused on both football
and my school work. School is very supportive
of me and give me extra lessons on the
subjects that I miss whilst having to attend the
club for training. I am also on an Elite Sports
Programme at school where I get to have PE
every day of the week; this really helps me out
with my physical and mental development.
WHAT DO YOU MATES AND TEACHERS
THINK ABOUT YOU PLAYING FOR
PORTSMOUTH AND DO THEY EVER COME
AND SUPPORT YOU?
I think that my teacher’s and friends are
proud of me for my achievements, although
I sometimes get some jokes thrown at me
when I make a mistake in PE!
WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS AND
GOALS FOR YOUR FOOTBALL
FUTURE?
My goal for the future is to sign a
scholarship contract for the club and
my life time goal is to make for a
professional club.
SUM UP YOUR SPORT IN THREE WORDS…
Exciting, inspirational and enjoyable.
FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU
RECOMMEND TO YOUNG PEOPLE
READING THIS WHO WANT TO GET
INTO FOOTBALL?
I recommend for any young players to
practise as much as they can after school and
in school, watch clips of their football heroes
and to be confident within their own ability
and most importantly never give up on their
dream.
Thank you for talking to us, Adam and we
wish you continued success for your future.