Under-18s boss Leigh Downing is challenging Albion’s scholarship group to replicate their high standards ahead of the 2024/25 season.
On top of securing a ninth-placed finish in the U18 Premier League Division south last term, eight scholars signed professional contracts over the course of the campaign, while Ollie Bostock and Rhys Morrish capped off their first year by representing Wales at the U17 Euros.
Attacker Divine Onyemachi was one who joined the scholarship group out on non-league, but he excelled in the club’s academy environment - finishing the 23/24 season as the 18s’ leading talisman.
Now, with a new group of scholars from similar backgrounds settled in for the new term, the task remains the same for Downing and his team as they look to develop the attributes of the Baggies’ youngsters.
Ahead of entering his third campaign at the helm, the 18s chief insists he takes “great pride” in helping the club’s young hopefuls at the start of their journeys and wants to see similar stories of success unfold during the 24/25 campaign.
He said: “The boys were really competitive in the league format last season and despite being a young team, we got a lot of positive results against sides like West Ham, Fulham and Chelsea.
“In terms of what it’s about, we had Ollie Bostock and Cole Deeming sign pro deals as first-years, international football for Louis Brady, Rhys Morrish, Ben Cisse, Ollie too, then Divine Onyemachi - who we recruited from non-league - ended up being our top goalscorer.
“One area we didn’t perform well in was the Youth Cup. But the opportunities the boys got last season were great with lads playing up, first-year scholars playing regularly, and in total I think there were eight professional contracts - which is a credit to how the group performed.
“We want to do well this season, but ultimately Bealey’s squad will be vying for first-team opportunities here or elsewhere, so we’ve got to prepare our boys to step up when those moments arise.
“We’ve got a good programme in place. Every day the lads know what’s expected of them from the gym work, sports science, and on the footballing side we always look to use past players for them to look up to.
“The goalkeepers have Ted, Josh and Alex who are in the first team now, Tom Fellows had his breakout season last year, but there’s also lads who’ve moved on from here and have experienced big changes in their career as high as the Premier League after starting out at Albion.
“We’re trying to produce homegrown players for us but even if they’re moving elsewhere, we’re trying to forge them a career in the game.
“Me and Chay (Thompson - 18s assistant) are in our third season together and we have a good way of working. The players are coming in, loving what they do and we hope that can show on the pitch and in their development this year.
“When you see the boys perform and go toe-to-toe with academies who invest heavily into their youth system, it gives us great pride and this club is a great place to work, not just because of the people you’re working with, but the players are humble and hard-working.
“When you have all those things, it makes for a good recipe and I enjoy what I do and I’m looking forward to seeing where it can take me."
