Youngsters awards presented at 2025/26 Academy Celebration Evening
Southampton's Academy players took centre stage at St Mary's as they were congratulated at the Academy Celebration Evening, to commemorate their 2025/26 seasons.
In a year that saw standout success for around the First Team, with several players making their senior debuts or gaining further appearances in the league and cup competitions, across the Academy there were plenty of examples of players featuring in higher age groups.
At St Mary's Stadium, players and their families from U8s-U21s level were invited for an evening of celebration and presentations to recognise their individual progress and achievements, in collaboration with event sponsors TrophyMan.
Director of Group Talent Strategy Andy Goldie, Academy Manager Duncan Fearnhead, First Team Head Coach Tonda Eckert, club legend Matt Le Tissier and several Academy staff members presented the awards to Saints' youngsters and staff, past and present.
Player's Player of the Year Awards were handed out to every age group's standout performer as voted by their team mates, along with the Saints Proud Award for players who have followed the club's values and demonstrated high standards across the season.
Additional awards given to individuals across multiple age groups, as Harry Hobday took home the Under-9-12s Player of the Year, George Kift won the Under-13-16s award, and Cameron Bragg was awarded the Under-18-21s trophy.
Similarly, George Hillyear was the Under-9-12s Goalkeeper of the Year, and Riley James was named as Under-13-16s Goalkeeper of the Year.
For Bragg, who established himself on the pitch in the Men's First Team, was also celebrated for his work in the community as he received the club's Men's PFA Community Champion award.
Cameron Bragg receives his PFA Community Champion award. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
Commemorative framed shirts were handed out to the players that made their senior debuts in the past year, with Sufianu Sillah Dbaga, Moses Sesay, Nick Oyekunle and Barnaby Williams all celebrated.
The club also celebrated the success of our loans programme and marked the new intake of Under-9s and Scholars for 2025/26.
Saints' senior debutants receive their commemorative shirts.
Off the pitch, there were six further important recipients; starting with the Legacy Award, which was presented to Tony Salentino, who has been an influential figure at the club for 25 years in his role as Academy Youth Development Coach working with the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Luke Shaw.
The Ben Cull Award, for "showing bravery, courage and determination in the face of adversity." - named after the former Saints Academy player who tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2023 - was presented to Barnaby Williams by Ben’s parents, Simon and Julie, and his brother Alex.
The Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Kirsty Whitton, the club's ever-reliable Head of Academy Operations who has been an integral figure at Staplewood for over a decade, and the Saints Proud award was handed to Academy Accommodation CoordinatorGrace Kean.
Finally, the Julie Batchelor Award for Academic Endeavour went to Under-18s player Calum Anderson for his efforts away from the pitch and in the classroom over the last academic year.
The list of award winners in full is as follows:
Player's Player of the Year Awards
Under 8s – Bodhi Edge
Under 9s – Adam Akinleye
Under 10s – Harry Hobday
Under 11s – George Hillyear
Under 12s – Zac Lacey
Under 13s – Josh Simpson
Under 14s – Olly Lloyd
Under 15s – Toby Bowden
Under 16s – Max Little
Under 18s – Hansel Adjei-Afriyie
Under 21s – Nick Oyekunle
Phase Player of the Year
Under 9-12s – Harry Hobday
Under 13-16s – George Kift
Under 18-21s – Cameron Bragg
Academy Goalkeeper of the Year
Under 9-12s – George Hillyear
Under 13-16s – Riley James
Saints Proud Player of the Year Awards
Under 8s – Roman Baggie
Under 9s – Bernie Cheasley
Under 10s – Evan Hughes
Under 11s – Arthur Prior
Under 12s – Tommy Vaughan
Under 13s – Luca Lask
Under 14s – Trey Denny-Abdallah
Under 15s – Kian Lawson
Under 16s – Archie Lovatt
Under 18s – Lewis Day
Under 21s – Barnaby Williams
Special Recognition
The Legacy Award – Tony Salentino
Outstanding Contribution Award – Kirsty Whitton
Saints Proud Staff Award – Grace Kean
The Julie Batchelor Award for Academic Endeavour – Calum Anderson
The Ben Cull Award – Barnaby Williams
Intern of the Year Award - Clyde Ying
