Ajay Gill has been chosen as the Albion Foundation's Community Captain to recognise his fantastic work in the community across 18 years as both participant and coach at the Foundation.
Baggies legend Jonas Olsson, recently attended the Foundation's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) multi-sports camp to surprise Ajay with the award, for his outstanding impact in the local community.
Ajay has been recognised as part of the Premier League's More Than A Game campaign, which is shining a light on the people making a positive difference in communities across England and Wales.
Rob Lake, Albion Foundation Director, said: "Ajay is a fantastic role model for participants and colleagues. He fully deserves this recognition.
"He cares so much about his local area, developing the talents and enabling those with learning difficulties and disabilities to reach their potentially."
Ajay grew up just streets away from The Hawthorns and began his Foundation journey as a PL Kicks participant. As he developed, he started to volunteer at sessions and support staff, eventually becoming a full-time colleague.
Now Disability Manager at the Foundation, Ajay oversees all of the SEND holiday camps and pan-disability football sessions, while maintaining and developing relationships with SEND schools in the local area.
In recent years Ajay has been able to pass on knowledge from his own experiences with delivery, to new Foundation colleagues and participants, with his caring nature allowing him to manage difficult situations with real diligence and understanding.
Paul Glover, Head of Wellbeing, said: "I've worked with Ajay for nearly 14 years now. I feel privileged to have been able to watch his growth from participant, to coach, to mentor and now as a manager.
"He is an amazing example of someone who has grown within the marriage of our values at the Foundation, combined with the values instilled in him by his family and community. We're all really proud of Ajay."