Oli Fairley – Charlton Challenge
After joining Charlton Challenge sessions at the age of 4 with Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), Oli Fairley’s love of football began to grow.
Charlton Challenge offers structured football sessions for children aged 2-8 to help improve their core movement and develop their football skills over a 12–16-week period.
Oli regularly attended the sessions and as a result his football skills developed, and his confidence levels increased.
As he continued to develop and grow, Oli was offered to join the Valley Gold Advanced Centre U6 sessions.
Oli’s development within football due to attending regular Charlton Challenge sessions is the perfect example of CACT’s pathway of progression. Now as part of the Valley Gold Advanced Centre, if Oli continues to improve, there may be opportunity for him to trial with the Charlton Athletic Academy in the future.
Oli’s dad, Will Fairley, said:
“Charlton Challenge was an incredible gateway for Oli into football. Open & welcoming to all, but with a professional club mindset. His love for the game has grown hugely as a result and seeing how Josh not only created brilliant group sessions but would individually focus on the boys too to help them improve their own specific game, was great - his commitment to all the boys there kept us coming back.
“Josh and the team at Charlton Challenge provided clear, regular feedback on his development which was hugely appreciated. Oli has now moved into their Advanced Centre and I’m already seeing the improvements as they once again take him to the next level.”
Josh Covill, CACT’s Football and Sports Development Coach, said:
“Oli began attending the Charlton Challenge at 4 years old and started improving almost instantly. He has since being with us continued to learn new skills and has been growing in confidence during the sessions which has helped him to be a part of the u6 Advanced Centre group with an opportunity to be a part of the Pre-Academy next year. I’m looking forward to seeing Oli’s development continue to move forwards and hopefully he continues to enjoy his football with us!”