It was in the sixth grade when Lawson Watt noticed something concerning.
He learned that pricey equipment needed to play ice hockey and soccer prevented some young kids from participating in the sport.
To help remedy that situation, Watt began organizing drives to collect, then give away, new and gently-used soccer gear to players in need of all ages throughout the metropolitan areas so they too could join youth teams.
Years later as a high-school freshman at the private Potomac School in McLean, the McLean resident continues to hold such equipment drives, expanding to multiple sports. In all, Watt has coordinated, publicized and overseen 30 such drives.
“It was a realization how expensive the gear was,” said Watt, a key defensive player (scoring two goals with one assist) for the conference champion and state semifinalist Potomac School boys varsity soccer team during the fall and a year-round player for McLean Youth Soccer’s under-16 Virginia Union team. “So I wanted to help, and it was exciting to get that all going.”
The biggest drive Watt has organized so far occurred in February. He partnered with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and its technical director Gordon Miller to organize a fund-raising effort, then donated more than $13,000 worth of soccer equipment for players in need. He recruited the state's Olympic Development Program boys and girls teams and a local non-profit to be involved in the effort.
The donations included more than 350 soccer cleats, 250 balls, shin guards and other related equipment.
Watt said it isn’t unusual for his family’s home, driveway and porch to have such gear stacked around at different times during collection drives.
In addition to the drives, Watt has created a Website, lawsonslocker.com, dedicated to encouraging youth to play sports and promote availability of sports gear.
As for playing sports, soccer is now Watt’s primary sport and focus. He played many others, like baseball, ice hockey, lacrosse and was a swimmer.
“I cut out all of those sports so now I can just focus on soccer year-round,” Watt said.
At the same time, his other focus will remain helping to provide equipment that others may need to participate in various sports.
