Academy Contract at Southampton FC for Rafferty

Congratulations to Rafferty from our Under-9 Elite Squad, who was recently offered a contract with Southampton FC U10 for the 2021/22 season!

Rafferty joined New Forest Football Academy in July 2020, after a long period away from football due to the national lockdowns. Raf teamed up with Coach Jamie in our U9 Elite squad for the 2020/21 season, whilst being kept on with Southampton FC Development Centre. Rafferty played in many games for New Forest Football Academy, including games in the HPL and an away trip to play Portsmouth FC Academy. Raf worked tremendously hard throughout the lockdowns in early 2021, where he set various keepy up records which currently stands at 2662 without a bounce. Here is Raf completing his previous record on 1273, which he managed to capture on film - Raf Keepy Up Record (Nov 2020). In the summer of 2021, Raf was offered an 8-week trial with Southampton FC U9 and after lots of hard work and dedication, Raf was offered a contract for Southampton FC U10 for the 2021/22 season! Rafferty is by far the most committed player we have ever seen, his dedication to practice and achieving his goals have been exceptional and he is a true example that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve all of your dreams! Congratulations Raf, you deserve every bit of success that you create for yourself!! An incredible achievement, from an incredible young man - a true role model to every young athlete.