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Football at Lancing

Football is the biggest and most popular sport at Lancing, played all year round and a key part of school life. Our footballing tradition dates back to the 1850s, and we continue to be known for excellence both on and off the pitch.

Pupils train and play on outstanding pitches, supported by top‑quality coaching from UEFA A and B licensed coaches and former professional players. Our football programme is built around core values of Attitude, Discipline, Work‑rate, Teamwork and Focus, which shape every training session and match.

Girls' Football

Boys' Football

Outstanding Coaching

Academy Pathway

Sport Scholarships

Our Stars

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Fixtures per year

Pupils regularly taking part

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Year-round football

UEFA Qualified Coaches

Girls’ Football

Girls’ football at Lancing has developed rapidly in recent years and is now a core sport during the Lent Term. Pupils benefit from structured training two to three times each week, alongside performance analysis and regular competitive fixtures.

Beyond the Lent Term, girls are also able to play football throughout the year as part of the co‑curricular programme, allowing them to continue developing their skills, confidence and enjoyment of the game within the wider sporting life of the College.

Boys’ Football

The main football term for boys is the Advent Term, when football becomes a central part of school life and over half of the pupil body represents one of our 14 boys’ teams, from U14 through to U18. Each squad trains at least twice a week and competes in regular Saturday afternoon fixtures, with every age group entering Regional, County and National cup competitions.

Football continues into the Lent Term for Senior boys, who enjoy a full programme of fixtures leading up to Easter. Junior players are able to continue playing throughout the Lent Term within the co‑curricular timetable, with football available for all pupils into the Summer Term. Lancing College also enjoys strong links with Brighton & Hove Albion Academy, as well as District and County representative teams, further supporting player development pathways.

Outstanding Coaching

Lancing provides an outstanding environment for pupils to develop their footballing potential through expert coaching. Our football coaching team includes 18 members of staff, ranging from specialist football coaches to academic staff who bring both expertise and a genuine passion for the game.

Within our coaching programme, every pupil is given the opportunity to work with football‑specific coaches throughout the term. Our strongest players benefit from more regular contact, including group and individual training sessions and competitive matches. The coaching team is made up of highly qualified football specialists, all of whom bring extensive experience and a strong commitment to player development.

The Coaching Team

Lewis Benson

Head of Football

UEFA A Licence, BA in Sports Coaching and Development, ex professional player Lewis joined Lancing as Head of Football in September 2021. He graduated from the University of Winchester with a BA in Sports Coaching and Development and holds the highly prestigious UEFA A Licence. Alongside more than 15 years’ coaching experience, Lewis has worked with both Southampton FC and AFC Bournemouth, bringing a wealth of professional insight to his role.

In addition to his coaching background, Lewis has extensive experience as both a professional and semi‑professional player. Most recently, he captained Salisbury FC, where he spent five successful seasons before taking on his leadership role at Lancing.

Martin Hinshelwood

Lead Coach

Martin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Lancing as a Head Coach and has worked at Lancing for over a decade. Martin is a former professional footballer and Manager of Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

He helped to oversee the development of many professionals including current Brighton and Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk. Martin still retains a close involvement at Brighton as a scout and works across the programme with all year groups at Lancing College.

Dan Pedley

Lead Coach

Dan is a UEFA A Licence football coach who joined Lancing in 2022. He’s passionate about player development and fostering a positive footballing culture. Alongside his work at Lancing, he has extensive experience in non-league football, having held a variety of head coach and first team coaching roles. He is currently proud to be coaching the Lancing U16s, supporting players both on and off the pitch. A lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, he brings enthusiasm, professionalism and a strong understanding of the modern game to all aspects of his coaching.

Football Academy Pathway

Our strongest footballers are invited to join the Football Academy Pathway in the Third Form, giving them an enhanced training programme designed to develop their ability and prepare them for life as a full‑time 1st XI player in the Fifth and Sixth Form. Our 1st XI pathway offers exceptional players the best possible platform to continue with football beyond Lancing, whether through professional or semi‑professional opportunities, USA Scholarships, or wider careers in sport.

As part of the full-time programme 1^st XI players receive:

Athletic Development Programme

The opportunity to join the Long-term Athlete Development Programme

Strength and Conditioning

An additional Strength and Conditioning session each week with Martin Footman, Head of Athletic Development

Technical Session

Weekly one to one or small group technical session with football specialist

Individual Training Programme and Development Plan

An individual training programme which plans out sports timetable including external football

Individual Player Report

Off-season Fitness Programme

An off-season fitness programme for holiday periods

Regional, County and National trials

Opportunity to be selected for Regional, County and National trials if selected

Year-round Football

A year-round opportunity to play football

A Personal Mentor

Further Enrichment Opportunities

Nutrition
Psychology
Stadium Tours
Professional match visits

VEO

Access to watch all matches on Veo

Performance Analysis

Weekly performance analysis sessions

1st XI Boy’s Football timetable

The 1st XI timetable delivers maximum football development alongside academic balance, closely reflecting the training rhythm of a professional Academy.

Some of our Success Stories

Nelly Guest

Brighton and Hove Albion Women’s U19 and Wales U19

Nelly’s growth on the international stage, alongside her continued development at Brighton & Hove Albion and at Lancing, marks her out as a remarkable young talent. We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and look forward to watching her journey unfold.

Nelly

Zane Albarus

Brighton and Hove Albion Men’s U21

Zane holds the distinction of being the first player to be signed onto the full-time training model by Brighton and Hove Albion. As part of this arrangement, Lancing College was formally ratified by the Premier League as an approved provider of education, a status awarded only after a rigorous assessment process. Upon leaving Lancing and after two successful years as a Scholar Zane was awarded a professional contract with the club in 2024.

Zane

Younes Ibrahim

Brighton and Hove Albion Men’s U18

Australian midfielder holding dual Egyptian-English citizenship, joined Brighton & Hove Albion’s U18 academy in July 2024 after stints with the youth setups at and Chelsea. Originally relocating to England from Australia at age 10, he has quickly made an impact.

Younes

Sport Scholarships – What We Look For

We seek applicants with outstanding talent in our core sports:
Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Tennis and Swimming (boys and girls).
Exceptional ability in athletics, basketball, golf, riding or triathlon may also be considered through discussion with the Director of Sport.

Applicants may be competing at county level or higher, though this is not required for a scholarship.

Sports Scholars are expected to:

represent the College in core team sports
show leadership and set high standards
contribute positively to the sporting life of the College
demonstrate exemplary attitude and behaviour

Sport Scholarships – What We Offer

Sports Scholars receive specialist coaching, regular development meetings, and access to outstanding facilities – including our swimming pool, sports hall, indoor range, squash and badminton courts, extensive playing fields and a state‑of‑the‑art fitness suite.

Scholars benefit from:

termly workshops (psychology, nutrition, performance pathways)
opportunities to explore overseas sports scholarships post‑A Level
tailored LTAD fitness sessions (Third to Fifth Form)
bespoke 1:1 strength & conditioning in the Sixth Form

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We encourage football participation at Lancing and aim to provide the best possible football opportunity for all. We strive to create a winning mentality and ensure that footballers at Lancing display our core values and ethos both on and off the pitch at all times.