'Football for All’ is the theme for Foundation Day 2023, recognising the many different footballing pathways regardless of ability at The Albion Foundation.
We’ve been highlighting a different level of the pathway each day in the build-up to the event, with Mini & Junior Baggies and our Pre-Academy taking the limelight yesterday.
Attentions now turn to the next step in the footballing pathway as we look at our Player Development Academies (PDA’s), which caters for children from Under 8’s to Under 10’s.
The Albion Foundation PDA’s are designed to help identify and develop young players that have the potential to progress on to West Bromwich Albion’s Talent ID programme or Academy.
The sessions are invite only and specifically mirror the West Bromwich Albion Academy Foundation Phase (Under 8-10’s), following the same structure, topics and core unopposed sessions.
Trials are held annually in the summer, providing participants an opportunity to progress in their footballing journey and receive coaching from FA and UEFA qualified coaches.
Successful trialists will play for and represent West Bromwich Albion in fixtures against clubs such as Cardiff, Shrewsbury and Derby County, while also being able to continue playing grassroots football while part of the PDA.
We currently have three PDA centres: South Birmingham (Sandwell Academy), Staffordshire (Oak Park Active Living Centre) and Black Country (South Bromsgrove), where participants receive weekly training sessions with technical and tactical coaching in line with the West Bromwich Albion Academy Curriculum.
For any enquiries regarding our Player Development Academies, please contact:
Sam Whitmore (Football Development Manager) - sam.whitmore@albionfoundation.co.uk
Remember to ‘Bring your Pound to the Ground’ for Foundation Day 2023 at the Huddersfield clash and don’t forget signed match-worn shirts from Saturday’s game against Hull City are available at auction and you can get your hands on these by clicking here to place your bid.
Alongside the match-worn shirt auctions, you can also donate to The Albion Foundation via text message. All you need to do is text TAF and the amount you want to donate to 70470, for example TAF10 to donate £10. Donations can also be made via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/albionfoundation