Lawson Birch has been part of The Albion Foundation player pathway since he was six years old and has experienced a wide range of the different programmes in place across the pathway since then.
Having begun his journey at our Player Development Academy (PDA) at under-7 level and experiencing the Baggies Skills Centres and Camps shortly before then, Lawson is now part of the EFL Football Education Programme with Sandwell College.
The 17-year-old also engaged in P.E lessons and after school clubs delivered by The Albion Foundation as a pupil at Moat Farm Junior School before progressing into the Midland Junior Premier League (MJPL) and playing at The Hawthorns through school tournaments.
Lawson said: “The Albion Foundation has helped me to become a better player. It’s allowed me to make new friends, given me opportunities to play all over England representing The Foundation and it’s now given me a career to go into sport with West Brom and Sandwell College.”
As part of the EFL College Programme, Lawson can get an education and study for a sports-related qualification, while training four times a week and playing competitive fixtures.
Alongside his studies, Lawson has also progressed onto undertaking voluntary work with The Albion Foundation, something that has developed his confidence and given him experience for his future career.
Lawson’s mother, Emma said: “Lawson’s recently started doing some voluntary work through The Albion Foundation, which he’s really enjoying. He’s going to schools and coaching children over their lunchtime period, setting up games and activities for them to do.
“It’s given him a decision for his future career, that he can go off and he can do following the end of his college course.”
If interested in our EFL College Programme, where you can represent West Bromwich Albion and study for a sports-related qualification, click here to sign up to our April trials.
The Albion Foundation offer a range of footballing programmes for different ages, including voluntary opportunities, find out more below:
Sam Whitmore, Football Development Manager:
sam.whitmore@albionfoundation.co.uk
Lee Meacham, Workforce Development Co-ordinator: