Academy hails latest graduate

The midfielder was first congratulated on Twitter and later on the NPLFA's website after coming on for the final ten minutes of last Saturday's 5-1 home defeat against Darlington in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

Before making his debut in front of more than 450 spectators at Station Road, the 16-year-old had been enjoying a good start to the season after scoring his first goal on the opening day and playing an integral role in the FA Youth Cup for Sports before their run came to an end last week.

An NPLFA spokesman said: "Well done and continue to work hard Lewis from everyone at the NPL Football Academy. We're all very proud of him and now looking forward to seeing the next one of our students graduate."

Belgrave said: "I found out I was in the squad the day before when my coach John told me in the changing rooms. I was nervous but [Academy coaches] John and Andy helped me fit in easily. I felt good after the game, the loss was unfortunate but making my debut so young felt amazing."

The EVO-STIK NPL became the first league in English football to launch a youth league and academy combining football with further education in September 2014.

Since opening at five pilot clubs - Leek Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Romulus - the ground-breaking initiative has more than doubled in size.

Over the course of last season, seven more clubs - Belper Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Lancaster City, Matlock Town, Mossley AFC, Sutton Coldfield Town, Warrington Town and Witton Albion - announced they were joining the ranks of the first league-wide academy in English football.

Launched with the backing of the Football Association to provide career pathways into the football industry, the NPLFA's 16 to 18-year-old students study on two year courses for Level 3 Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications while being trained on a daily basis by UEFA qualified coaches and competing in the NPL Youth League and national competitions like the FA Youth Cup.

Follow the new academy's progress at nplfa.co.uk, twitter.com/NPLFA and at facebook.com/NPLFA.

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