Brentford visit Atlanta for Swarm FC youth tournament | OneFootball

Brentford FC strengthened its partnership with Swarm FC, as club ambassador Marcus Gayle led a club delegation to Atlanta for a major youth football tournament.

The event brings together hundreds of young players, their families and coaches, showcasing the growing relationship with the US-based club.

Building on our presence at the United Soccer Coaches Convention, the trip to Atlanta reinforced the Bees' commitment to talent identification in the US. Players and families had the chance to engage with club representatives and learn more about the opportunities created through this partnership.

Brentford's partnership with Swarm FC, announced last year 2024, is centred around Southern Soccer Academy Swarm FC in Atlanta, Georgia, aligning with the club’s player development and scouting strategy. The aim is to build a multi-state youth football network, offering coaching education, international exchanges, and pathways for top talent to potentially join Brentford and compete in the Premier League.

Gayle stated: "The energy and hunger from these young players is incredible. You can see their determination to improve and push themselves to the next level.

"With the right guidance and opportunities, some of them could one day be training at Brentford. This is where their journey starts.”

Brentford also introduced its Bee a Pro initiative, designed to help young players develop key skills on and off the pitch. Gayle, along with Swarm's Jack Collison and Simon Davey, addressed 200 players, coaches and families, sharing insights on what it takes to succeed in football. More details on Bee a Pro can be found here.

The visit coincided with the SSA Classic tournament, which featured 350 teams and 8,000 players from across the US. Boys’ and girls’ teams competed, demonstrating the depth of talent in the region. Gayle will have the honour of presenting the MVP award, sponsored by Brentford, to the standout player of the weekend.

Brentford’s activities extended beyond the tournament. Marcus and club mascot Buzz Bee visited a school in nearby Marietta, where Swarm hosted a community session for young players.

Following this visit, both clubs look ahead to further collaboration, including future training exchanges and player visits to London.