Crystal Palace’s Under-16s stepped outside their usual football environment during a visit to New Malden Fire Station, where they took part in a workshop delivered with the London Fire Brigade. The session was arranged through the Academy’s Player Care programme and focused on preparing the players for life both on and away from the pitch.
The Young Eagles explored the connections between elite sport and firefighting, including the importance of discipline, leadership, adaptability and personal responsibility. They also considered how those qualities relate to Palace Academy’s PROUD principles: Progressive, Respectful, Optimistic, Unified and Dedicated. London Fire Brigade volunteers explained the demands of the profession, from maintaining fitness and checking equipment to responding to incidents such as fires, flooding, hazardous materials and animal rescues.
The players then changed into protective equipment and experienced several practical exercises. They learned how firefighters use ladders and hoses before entering a dark training area while wearing breathing apparatus. Working in pairs, they communicated through tunnels, uneven ground and confined spaces, with one task involving the movement of a 70-kilogram training dummy. The challenges placed a strong emphasis on trust, composure, problem-solving and collective responsibility.
Former professional footballer Grant Basey also spoke to the group about planning for a future beyond playing. Basey came through Charlton Athletic’s academy, made 46 senior appearances and later played in professional and non-league football before an injury ended his career in his mid-20s. He described the difficulty of adjusting to life outside the game, including a period of manual work before joining the fire service, and encouraged the players to combine ambition with resilience and preparation for alternative opportunities.
Under-16s captain Emilio Brazier said the visit gave the squad a better understanding of the London Fire Brigade’s work and the different roles available within it. He also highlighted the value of the communication, teamwork and problem-solving exercises. Henry Armstrong similarly praised the opportunity to learn about a profession far removed from the players’ normal routine, while the squad identified the tunnel exercise, hose work and testing themselves in unfamiliar situations among the highlights of the day.
The workshop forms part of Crystal Palace Academy’s wider effort to support the development of its players beyond football, helping them build skills and broaden their horizons whatever their eventual path.
