When players join our full-time programme as Under-15s, they have the opportunity to live with host families near the training ground. This arrangement allows them to stay close to the action while focusing on their football development.

For many young players and older boys across the Academy, living with host families becomes a key part of their journey as they commit to a full-time football schedule. Alongside their training, the club prioritises equipping them with essential life skills, such as cooking, to prepare them for the next stage of their lives, on and off the pitch.

Each week, players participate in cooking lessons held in a local family kitchen. These sessions teach them practical cooking skills and emphasise the importance of nutrition for their development as footballers.

This season, the programme has been extended to include older players from our Under-18s and Under-21s squads, allowing them to get creative in the kitchen. The boys have been learning to prepare a variety of dishes, from breakfast staples like porridge, omelettes and pancakes, to snacks such as toasties and pasta, as well as smoothies and other extras.

To gain a better understanding of the importance of these lessons, we spoke with Reuben Stables, our lead Academy nutritionist.

'We teach the boys a lot about why they should eat certain foods and in what quantities at specific times, but the practical side is arguably the most important,' he explained. 'This becomes essential when they go out on loan or move up to the senior team, living independently without someone to cook for them. It’s a crucial life skill.'

The cooking sessions are structured to equip players with the skills to prepare meals throughout the day. Each lesson covers a different aspect of cooking, starting with breakfast and including snacks and meals that meet their full nutritional needs. Reuben, along with Jodi and Amelie McGovern, who host the lessons in their family kitchen, designed the programme to include six comprehensive sessions.

Reuben continued: 'While we focus on educating the players, I believe that teaching life skills like cooking is equally important for their overall growth.

'Beyond understanding nutrition, these cooking opportunities encourage players to explore interests outside of football and develop essential life skills. Working together in the kitchen fosters teamwork, communication and a willingness to step out of their comfort zones, especially for those who are new to cooking.'

The Academy has already received a positive response from the players. Many have embraced the lessons enthusiastically, demonstrating noticeable improvement in their skills and confidence. Carys Dalton, head of Academy player care, underlines the importance of providing life experiences for the players.

'When you’re 14 to 18, your parents usually teach you to cook, but because our boys move out so early, they miss that opportunity. As a club, we have a responsibility to prepare them for real life and cooking is a big part of that,' Carys explains. 'The players have embraced it. We’ve seen marked progress, they’re much more comfortable in the kitchen now.

'We want our boys to be more independent and prepared for life outside the Academy, whether they’re living alone or going on loan. Some of the clubs they join won’t provide meals like we do here, so it’s crucial they know how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.'

The Chelsea Academy not only takes on the role of producing footballers, but we want to grow individuals off the pitch. Jodi, who leads the cooking lessons in her family kitchen, underlines the importance of creating a supportive environment for learning.

'We wanted to create a safe space where the boys could make mistakes,' Jodi shared. 'We encourage them to ask questions and build their confidence. It’s important that they understand what goes into the food they cook and why it’s good for them from a nutritional standpoint.

'Cooking from scratch gives them that understanding. Watching the boys grow in confidence and improve their skills in the kitchen has been incredibly rewarding.

'Ultimately, the programme aims to build the players’ confidence and inspire them to develop interests beyond football, which also contributes to their mental well-being. We want to nurture their passions outside of football because it helps them excel mentally, which reflects in their performance on the pitch. It’s about developing them as whole individuals.'