Harlem Bean-Fox has taken a step towards his dream of becoming a professional footballer after securing a scholarship to attend Brooke House College Football Academy in England.

The 16-year-old PHC Zebras forward was scouted by the Leicestershire-based academy while competing in the Kappa Classic at the National Sports Centre in April.

“It's an honour to be scouted by Brooke House College during their visit to Bermuda to watch the Kappa Classic,” Bean-Fox told The Royal Gazette. “To be offered a scholarship at such a well-known academy really means a lot to me.”

The promising teenager, who made his senior debut with PHC at the beginning of the season, has settled in nicely at the academy in the town of Market Harborough, which assists players in pursuit of their ambitions to become professionals.

“Since being here it has been smooth transition getting to know teens from all around the world,” he added. “Sometimes it can be a challenge being a student athlete getting all my work done before I go training or to a match.

“Playing football is what I’ve wanted to do since I was three so being able to do it every day in a different country chasing my dream is a blessing.

“The switch from Bermuda’s style of football to England’s style, you can definitely tell the difference with the faster pace of how teams play and being switched on at all times is very important, but I’ve adapted quite well.”

To date, over 60 players have progressed to a professional football career after leaving Brooke House College, which boasts over 200 players aged 11 to 19 from a range of ethnic backgrounds, with some representing their national teams at youth and senior levels.

Academy manager Ashley Foyle attended this year’s Kappa Classic to scout potential talent and was impressed by the performances of Bean-Fox and others.

“First of all, I was blown away by how many participants there were at the event,” he said. “For such a small island to show so much love and passion for football was fantastic!

“There were a number of players that caught the eye showing high levels of technical capabilities and some exciting athletic potential. I’m sure that all of the players will have benefited from a competitive and well-organised tournament.

“We would love for the Kappa to be a regular event that we can come out and attend not only for scouting purposes but to experience a competitive and exciting football experience that allows us to appreciate the impact that this wonderful sport has all across the world.”

Foyle, who played for Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley, has encouraged young players regardless of where they are playing their football to first set their sights on pushing themselves to fulfil their potential.

“For those that make it across to the UK, we hope that our environment and competitive games and training programme will help the players maximise their abilities,” he added.

“By focusing on their development we hope that by the time they leave us they will have multiple options and pathways to follow whether that be professional football, further full-time football opportunities or University options either in the UK or US.”

Foyle also offered advice to those who may be interested in enrolling their child in academic and football academies simultaneously.

“First of all, they should ensure that the school can provide them with the right training programme, academic timetable, competitive fixture schedule and most of all support network,” he said.

“This support should be both on and off the pitch and we are fortunate enough to have an excellent team of coaches, mentors and guardians that can help the young players navigate a difficult landscape as they have all been through it before, either themselves or with one of their family members.

“We know that the students face a number of challenges leaving home and that they need to be in the right environment to flourish.

“For the students we have from Bermuda they are fortunate that we have Corey Hill (former Dandy Town and Bermuda forward) who, not only has a good understanding of how things work here, but has lived the process through his, Deniche’s (son and Leicester City under-23 forward) and Jutorre Burgess’ (Harborough Town winger) journey.”