Football student captains England to bronze medal at World Cup

A University of Wolverhampton football student has captained an England youth team to a bronze medal at this year’s Subbuteo World Cup.  

Gage Badger, a second-year student studying BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance, led the England Under 20’s to a third-place finish.  

The World Cup, which took place at Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells on 20-21 September, saw 300 competitors from 38 countries compete at the tournament.  

Gage helped coach the Under 12 and 16 teams at this year’s World Cup.  

It was also the third time Gage had represented England having competed at the 2022 World Cup in Rome and the 2023 Euros in Gibraltar.  

Gage also plays for Wolverhampton Table Football Club and has been part of the team that has previously won International Open tournaments in Derry and Glasgow.  

Reflecting on this year’s tournament and bronze medal win, Gage said: “It was an honour to represent England at the World Cup and to come away with a medal was a great feeling.  

“I first got into Subbuteo in 2017 when my dad started playing again and took me to tournaments. Since then, I’ve been hooked and have been given opportunities to play Subbuteo in other countries such as Belgium and Italy.”  

In his second year at the University of Wolverhampton studying BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance, Gage said: “I’m really enjoying the course and the support given to me by my lecturers has been excellent.  

“Being given exposure to real work life settings and visiting local football academies has allowed me to build contacts in the game. It’s also given me extra motivation to work hard and to work towards achieving a career in football.”  

Anyone interested in studying for courses at the School of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.     

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us.