2016/17 NPLFA Students of the Year

13 Jul 2017 By Paul Hatt

Ten winners at NPL Academy Clubs

It’s been a hugely successful year on the education side of the NPLFA programme and the past few weeks have seen students from each club being crowned ‘Student of the Year’ for their efforts in the classroom.

The winners are as follows:

Scott Taylor: Belper Town
Dan Spooner: KIdsgrove Athletic
Joel Virgo: Leek Town
Keifer MacDonald: Matlock Town
Cameron Higgins: Mickleover Sports
Moses Nsiala: Mossley AFC
Cameron Lewarne: Radcliffe Borough
Jorge Blemins: Sutton Coldfield Town
Owen Oakley: Warrington Town
Owen Wynne: Witton Albion

Read more about the students football and educational achievements at nplfa.co.uk/student-of-the-year-2016-17/

Background on the NPLFA

The EVO-STIK League’s ground-breaking academy was founded with the backing of the Football Association at five pilot clubs in September 2014 to provide career pathways into the football industry.

Expanding to 13 clubs catering to more than 400 students for the 2017-18 season in September, the NPLFA is still the only league wide academy in English football combining sport with education. Thanks to the new higher education partnership with Loughborough College, youngsters currently studying with the NPLFA on two year BTEC courses or embarking on them this Autumn will also be able to continue their education to degree level while developing their football careers within the EVO-STIK League.

When not studying, students train on a daily basis with UEFA qualified coaches while competing in the NPL Youth League and the FA Youth Cup. In April, Mickleover Sports won the NPLFA's youth league for the third season running while Warrington Town's stars of the future lifted the inaugural NPLFA Cup at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium.

The exploits of the NPLFA’s stars are not going unnoticed either. Since last season the NPLFA has been recording all its matches for coaching and publicity purposes, the footage shot by FilmMyMatch before the clips are edited into highlights packages for viewers on the academy’s website and busy social media channels.

To see the NPLFA's latest promotional videos and success stories, follow on Twitter at @NPLFA or visit: www.nplfa.co.uk. For more information on the degree courses contact: sam@nplfa.co.uk.

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Where next?

Glossop stalwart bows out at Surrey Street After nearly 40 years in the job, Hillmen Club Secretary Peter Hammond has announced that he is stepping down from the role.

The 2017/18 season starts here and now! The EVO-STIK NPL’s fans, players and officials are running the rule over their fixtures for the upcoming season following their official release this morning.