Young people learn from professionals, see how different industries work and take on real business challenges.
For many young people, the conversation starts with football and the players they admire.
But football is about much more than what happens on the pitch.
Behind every club is a wider network of people and organisations with the potential to influence what young people aspire to and work towards.
Young people do not have equal access to professional networks and meaningful work experience.
Without that access, career choices can be shaped more by who they know than what they’re capable of.
Football’s popularity and cultural reach give professionals from clubs and local employers a powerful way to engage young people, share their experience and explain routes into their industries.
Young people gain a clearer understanding of what’s possible and the routes they could take to get there.
Through live briefs, mentoring and hands-on media production, young people gain practical skills, confidence and professional connections.
They move from spectators to creators, leaving with work they can be proud of and experience they can draw on in future study, employment and projects of their own.
Give sponsors, local employers and community partners a practical way to connect with young people through engaging career experiences.
Behind The Goal designs and delivers each programme, strengthening partnerships and extending your club’s impact beyond matchday.
Invite young people to respond to a real challenge from your business, with guidance and feedback from your team.
Each project is shaped around your priorities. Young people build skills, confidence and career awareness, while your business demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility. Both sides gain fresh perspectives.
We open doors to industries and workplaces that can otherwise seem out of reach for many young people.
We bring football clubs, employers and community partners together so students can meet professionals, tackle live briefs and discover where their strengths could take them.
Aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks 5, 6 & 8.
Meet professionals and gain practical experience through real business challenges, connected to football and the industries around it.
You don’t need to have an interest in football to benefit or participate in our programme. Find out how it works and what taking part could look like.
Connect those you support with professionals, employers and practical projects that broaden their understanding of different job opportunities.
We work alongside your team and partners to shape accessible, relevant activities to engage and inspire your young people.
Bring football clubs, employers, schools and community organisations together around shared priorities for young people.
Behind The Goal coordinates delivery across your area, creating a model that can begin locally and grow over time.
Together, these three pillars turn interest into experience young people can build on.
Live projects from clubs, sponsors and local employers that value fresh thinking.
Hands-on content production that turns learning into visible work.
Conversations with professionals who can open up careers beyond the pitch.
In 2024, we worked with Camden Council on a work experience programme with Google, AstraZeneca, Digital Catapult and British Land.
Students left with more confidence, clearer ambitions and a stronger belief in what was possible. Businesses saw the value of investing in local talent.
What we saw was undeniable: real access doesn’t just open doors. It changes how far people believe they can walk through them.
Football gives us a way to reach more young people, and show them how far they could go.
Step outside the comfort zone because that’s where the magic happens.
I never thought I’d fit in here, but everyone works so well together.
I’ve learned a lot, which I think is going to help me through my career and in the future.
Meaningful work makes people feel part of something bigger.
Our mission is simple. To provide the inspiration and the access to opportunity.
We believe that the right relationships, at the right time, change everything.
The platform that helps relationships continue beyond the programme through mentoring and ongoing community.
The creative engine that documents learner journeys, helping partners, clubs and schools & colleges show the impact they are creating.
Behind The Goal connects clubs, partners, schools and employers with the communities they serve.
If this feels like something you’d want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
