A shining example of talent, hard work, and commitment, student Josh Cadman recently enjoyed a fantastic opportunity to train with Rotherham United’s Under-18 squad.
Josh’s achievement is not only a reflection of his footballing ability, but also a celebration of his dedication off the pitch. His punctuality, excellent attendance, and consistently strong performance in his college work were all recognised as part of the decision to invite him into the U18 environment.
This milestone highlights the strong and growing connection between the education programme and the Rotherham United Academy. Opportunities like Josh’s demonstrate that the Academy is not only aware of the hard work taking place in the programme — they have eyes on our students, and they genuinely value what they see.
This isn’t the first time a student has been invited to train alongside the Academy’s youth players, and each occasion serves as an exciting reminder of the pathway available. Experiences like this give students a real chance to showcase their skills, grow in confidence, and gain a taste of professional football standards.
Staff from the programme praised Josh’s attitude whose commitment sets a positive example for others.
Looking ahead, the team is hopeful that this opportunity will help strengthen the relationship even further.
Head of Education and Economy, John Whitehead commented:
“The programme remains committed to providing young people with the best possible blend of education, personal development, and footballing opportunity — with Josh’s success a perfect illustration of what can be achieved. Josh’s attitude in the classroom and on the pitch is exactly what we want to celebrate. Opportunities like this show what’s possible, and we look forward to continuing to build our links with the Academy.”
Football Development Officer, Oliver Harris, also commented:
“We’re incredibly proud of Shadow Squad goalkeeper Josh after he earned the opportunity to train with Rotherham United’s U18s. It’s a fantastic reflection of his hard work and the quality of our programme, and a really positive step in strengthening our link with the Rotherham United Academy.”
We have the an Open Evening available for prospective learners on Tuesday 10th February 2026, from 6-7:30pm, if you are interested please book here.
