EXCLUSIVE: Get an inside look at Birmingham Legion’s new training facility [PHOTOS]

As the club celebrates seven years since it was founded, Birmingham Legion FC is unveiling a new training facility connected to its practice fields down Highway 280.

While the official ribbon cutting is scheduled for August 15, the players have been using most of the facility since June. And we got to go inside a few days early to see the building as the final touches were being added.

Keep reading for an exclusive look inside the new facility + find out more about the Legion’s season including when you can see them at Protective Stadium as the push for a home playoff game continues.

‘All the needs of a professional soccer player’

The Legion have always practiced out at the Dunnavant Valley Fields in Shelby County and building a training facility was one of the first priorities. However, limited lot space and the pandemic temporarily cut into those plans.

But the club finally started seeing more progress over the last year and now, the facility is complete. The building includes:

• Weight room
• Meeting rooms
• Coaching offices
• Training room
• Locker room
• Direct access to Dunnavant Valley Fields

The biggest room in the facility is the gym which has all the equipment needed for things like weightlifting and cardio exercise. They also built the gym with a large open space for players to get in pre-training exercises like sprints and stretches.

“The technology behind how the players are going to get better and how do we make sure they have the best tools in place to perform at their highest. That was design number one. This created a gym space that fits all the needs of a professional soccer player.”

~ Jay Heaps, Birmingham Legion FC general manager

The club hopes that this facility will be used to not only better the players currently on the team but also provide a reason for other players to want to be in Birmingham.

Whether its signing new athletes or convincing bigger clubs to loan their players to the Legion, this facility could play a role in the final sales pitch.

“It’s really important. As players are becoming more involved in their player pathways, having a facility like this definitely is a great resource for the players. We’ve been able to resign a lot of our guys because they know this was getting done. It is something we are actively discussing with potential signings to say this is a place where you can come, get your rehab and get your work done.”

~ Jay Heaps

Although the team has only just recently moved into the building, there has been a noticeable shift in attitude around the club. And it may be showing up on the pitch as well with the Legion currently on a four-game unbeaten streak, its longest of the season.

“It’s a game changer… Having a home gives you a different perspective even for things like strength and conditioning work. There’s so many aspects to keeping these guys at top shape and having all this available is tremendous.”

~ Tommy Soehn, Birmingham Legion head coach

Partnership with UAB

Another part of the facility that is already fully functional is a physical therapy clinic from UAB Medicine. The clinic opened to patients in late July, bringing a UAB facility much closer to many Shelby County residents.

The clinic focuses on treatment such as:

• Care for acute/subacute orthopaedic injuries
• Treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Concussion care
• Treatment for orthopeadic, musculoskeletal, and sports/athletic injuries
• Pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation

The Legion’s partnership with UAB is nothing new but having them be a part of this new facility makes a big difference.

“Our doctors have been the best I’ve had in all of my career. And I’ve had some really good doctors along the way… Having them in house is just huge.”

~ Tommy Soehn, Birmingham Legion head coach

For the next generation

While the players may be directly benefitting the most from the new facility, the Legion is hoping to still use it as another connection to the community.

The senior men’s team gets most of the attention but the club also fields a women’s side in the USL W League and an academy team in the USL League 2. Both of those sides will use the facility for training as well as locker rooms when hosting matches at the Dunnavant Valley Fields.

The Legion will continue to use the fields and facility for different clinics and events. There will be a full-time team store at the front entrance of the facility that will also be open during BUSA events at the fields.

“When I came here for my first interview, six years ago, we talked about a lot of things that we wanted to get to. Six years later, a lot of that has come true. We’re heading in the right direction in so many ways, we have more teams, we have the whole academy below us and now we have this. It continues to go in the right direction.”

~ Tommy Soehn

2024 Birmingham Legion FC

The Legion are carrying some momentum into the final third of the season. With 24 matches in the books, the club currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, level with Indy Eleven on points.

The top four spots in the conference will earn a home game in the first round of the USL Championship playoffs. Birmingham has a good shot at moving into sole possession of fourth place with the next two matches happening at Protective Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know:

Have you been out to a Birmingham Legion game this season? Post your pictures and tag us @bhamnow to let us know!