Waterford | Founded 1941 | Ben Wadding Park
Waterford Bohs with a pathway from first touches to adult football
Bohemians FC Waterford gives players a home at Ben Wadding Park, from academy sessions for young children through school age teams, adult football and Football for All.
Club identity
Bohemians FC Waterford, clearly the Waterford Bohs
This is the Waterford Bohemians, based at Ben Wadding Park in Poleberry. The name can be confused with Dublin Bohs, so families searching for fixtures, directions or contacts should use Waterford or Ben Wadding Park in the message.
The club was formed in March 1941 and has served players across Waterford and the South East for generations. Red, white, black and gold carry through the crest and kit identity, and the crest keeps the Waterford name, the 1941 year, three red ships, a football and a gold star together in one strong mark.
For a new family, the identity is easy to understand: this is a city football club with a long local name, a clear home ground and enough teams for younger players to see where they can go next.
Player pathway
Academy football, school age teams and adult routes
The academy welcomes boys and girls from ages 4 to 10, with the early years centred on fun, participation, basic movement and plenty of touches on the ball. That first stage should feel friendly and energetic, not like a trial.
As players grow, Bohemians FC Waterford has schoolboy teams in the Waterford Schoolboy League from under 9 to under 16. Girls football is also part of the club pathway, with schoolgirl age groups and senior ladies football giving players a visible route beyond the youngest teams.
Adult football gives older players further options through junior, Junior B, youth, over 35s and senior ladies squads. That range helps families because a younger player can see the next step without leaving the club environment too early.
Inclusion
Football for All at Bohs
Bohemians FC Waterford includes Football for All for players over 16. For parents and carers, the important step is to make contact before attending, explain the player’s needs clearly and ask what support is in place for the first visit.
A good first visit depends on calm communication. Ask who will welcome the player, where the group meets, how the session is structured and what footwear or gear is needed. Those small details can make the difference between a nervous arrival and a player who feels ready to join in.
Ben Wadding Park
Main pitch, astro and match nights
Ben Wadding Park is the centre of the club. It gives Bohs a home for training, match nights and academy activity, with main pitch and astro football supporting different squads across the week.
The newer astro surface has also carried big club nights, including a Waterford Youth A League title night in November 2024. Families should still follow the weekly team message for the exact meeting point, pitch, warm up area and arrival time.
Standards
Club Mark and coaching culture
Bohemians received the FAI Club Mark Entry Award at Ben Wadding Park in 2024. For parents, the value is practical: better organisation, safer structures and clearer standards around coaching, safeguarding and communication.
A good football experience needs more than a fixture. It needs coaches who are prepared, volunteers who answer clearly and adults who put young players in the right environment. Club Mark recognition gives families another reason to ask confident questions before joining.
Players can feel those standards in simple ways. Training starts on time, messages are clear, equipment is ready and children know what the coach expects. Those habits help a busy club feel organised even when several squads are moving through the ground.
Before you travel
Questions worth asking
| Area | Ask this before the first session or fixture |
|---|---|
| Age group | Which academy, schoolboy, schoolgirl or adult group is right for the player? |
| Pitch | Is the session on the main pitch, astro pitch or another part of Ben Wadding Park? |
| Footwear | Should the player bring boots, astro shoes or both? |
| Arrival | What time should players arrive before training or kickoff? |
| Support | For Football for All, who should families contact before attending? |
First enquiry
Send the details that help the coach
A useful first message includes the player name, year of birth, local area, previous club if any, and whether the family is asking about academy football, boys football, girls football, senior football or Football for All.
Ask for the next suitable session, the exact pitch for that week and anything the player should bring. That gives the coach enough information to guide the family to the right group and helps the player arrive with less uncertainty.
If the player has been away from football, is changing clubs or needs extra support, say that early. The club can give better guidance when the first message is clear.
Check the latest club or coach notice before travelling, as training plans, pitch access and fixture venues can change during the season.