Ben Mason has become the second recipient of the Nigel Higgs development award, which recognises the best qualities of one of our young players.
“I was a bit shocked at first,” said Ben. “Michael Hamilton called me five minutes before I had a training session in the evening with my loan club. It gave me a real boost going into training and I was delighted and proud as well.”
“We encourage our boys to broaden their horizons and to develop as a person as well as a footballer,” said Nigel. “Young footballers need to have interest and activities outside of that. They need to experience things that often I feel those in the academy system may not get the benefit of experiencing.
Listen to an in-depth interview with Ben, along with contributions from Nigel Higgs, Michael Hamilton and Academy Head of Player Care Craig Watkins below.
(Additional interview footage: Mohammed Moaouia)
The relatively new accolade was introduced in 2021 and named after the founder of our academy. It goes to the young Don who goes above and beyond developing themselves both on and off the pitch. First year scholar Leo Young received the inaugural award from our former Youth and Community director.
“I got it for my achievements in 2022,” said fellow defender Ben. “On the pitch it was for what I achieved with the under-18s and for the first part of my loan. But I also received it for how I was around the team and my college work as well last year. The award is also about how you want to develop as a person off the pitch.
“Nigel also gave me a book and he wrote a little something in it too and signed it, which was really nice. It’s about dealing with adversity, especially coming into my first season in senior football, you get a lot of that. It’s really important to deal with that in a positive way. I was pleased to receive that.
Ben skippered our under 18s to the Youth Alliance South East title last season, signed his first professional deal last summer and is on for a possible treble trophy triumph with Basingstoke Town this campaign.
He’s already got an Isthmian South Central winners’ medal and tonight could figure in their line-up for the North Hampshire Cup Final against Romsey at Whitchurch. In a week’s time, Ben is aiming to step out at Fratton Park for the ‘Stoke against AFC Bournemouth in the Hampshire Senior Cup Final.
“There have been times when the 18s performances haven’t been where they’ve needed to be this season,” said Academy Manager Michael Hamilton. “Ben is often used as an example.
“By that I mean the under-18s that played with Ben last season admitted that having him around the place made them better and more focused on their game. To try and explain Ben’s impact and attributes as a person - I don’t think I’d have enough time to, and we could be here all day!”