HSDC celebrates success of elite young footballer, Libby Hester

HSDC is proud to celebrate the incredible success of A Level student and elite young footballer Libby Hester, whose remarkable journey exemplifies the College’s commitment to aspiration, opportunity and personalised support for every learner. 

Libby, who studies A Level PE and a Level 3 certificate in Criminology at HSDC’s Havant Campus, is now in her second season playing for Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s U19 squad, competing against, and beating some of the country’s top U21 academies including Arsenal and Manchester United. 

Her achievements, both academically and athletically, have been made possible thanks to a tailored study timetable, crafted by HSDC in order to fit around her extensive training and playing commitments. 

Libby began her footballing journey at Meon Milton at just six years, becoming captain as the only girl in an all-boys team. She later signed for Southampton FC’s U10s, where she stayed for eight years before joining Brighton, where she continues to develop as a promising striker and winger. A lifelong Arsenal fan, Libby’s footballing heroes include Lionel Messi, Mesut Özil and Thierry Henry. 

Speaking about how her choice of subjects at HSDC have helped strengthen her career aspirations, Libby said:

“PE at Havant is incredibly useful as it links strongly with my dreams of becoming a professional footballer. It helps me understand how the body functions, giving me ways in which I can improve my performance and prevent injuries”

To support Libby’s demanding schedule, HSDC has built her a bespoke timetable, allowing her to maintain academic progress whilst training on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and playing matches on Wednesdays. The College has adapted Libby’s learning plan so she could join multiple classes covering the same units, ensuring that she never repeats content but always moves forward. Libby said:

“The teachers have been really supportive of my learning, and are so passionate about their subjects which makes me enjoy college even more! I travel a lot, sometimes getting home late from matches far away, but my teachers understand that I need more time for work and are extremely helpful and flexible with deadlines.”

One standout example is Gemma Joyce, Libby’s PE teacher, who regularly delivers 1-to-1 support sessions to ensure that she keeps pace with lessons that she misses due to football commitments. This reflects HSDC’s wider investment in high-quality teaching and industry-experienced staff, ensuring that students gain not only knowledge, but confidence, employability skills and resilience. 

HSDC’s student-centred approach ensures that learners like Libby are empowered to pursue ambitious futures. Her personal development has also been recognised by Brighton & Hove Albion, with Jack Donnelly, Player Education Lead at the club, saying:

“Libby has developed significantly as a dual-career athlete during her time at Brighton. She has had to balance the demands of pursuing a career as a professional footballer alongside completing her A Level studies. Libby has also developed the ability to manage her time efficiently between travel commitments, her football schedule and academic deadlines, all whilst ensuring she can fully recharge and build an identity away from football.”

Since joining Brighton, Libby’s sporting highlights include opening the scoring against Manchester City in the league, and a particularly impressive game against Charlton Athletic where she recorded two goals and two assists! These experiences have strengthened her drive to play first-team professional football - her next major ambition. 

Libby’s story demonstrates how HSDC is investing in long-term planning that prioritises learner experiences, sustainable outcomes and strong progression pathways. Focusing on individual development allows the College to help hundreds of students each year progress into meaningful destinations including university, apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and professional careers.