Academy's coaches carry on recruiting

After the success of the latest series of recruitment events for prospective students hoping to win a place at the Northern Premier League Football Academy, tutors and coaches at the ground-breaking initiative are looking forward to hosting five more 'information evenings' in February.

Witton Albion will host the first of the events on Wednesday night for students aiming to be among the second intake at the NPLFA, the only league wide academy in English football combining football with further education.

Like the students and their families pictured attending Lancaster City's open night last week, those attending will hear how successful candidates will compete in the EVO-STIK NPL Youth League, the academy's own FA sanctioned competition, while being trained on a daily basis by UEFA ‘B’ qualified coaches.

Academically, the 16-18-year-old students study on two year courses for Level 3 Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications offering a number of career pathways into the football industry.

The EVO-STIK Northern Premier League became the first league in English football to launch a youth league and academy combining football with further education in September when the NPLFA opened its doors to its first intake of students at five pilot clubs - Leek Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Romulus.

Along with Lancaster City, Belper Town and Mossley AFC, Witton Albion are the fourth club since the start of the current campaign to apply to join the ranks of the academy next season.

First Division North Mossley were the latest to sign up in the middle of January and they are due to host their first event at Seel Park on Thursday 19 February from 7pm.

Another of the quartet, Belper Town, are welcoming students to Christchurch Meadow from 6.30pm on Monday 25 February with the Dolly Blues hosting a second open night two days later from 7pm on Wednesday 25 February at Giant Axe.

Leek Town host the final event of the month at Harrison Park from 7pm on Thursday 26 February. The NPLFA's coaches have also announced that Radcliffe Borough are hosting an open football session at Stainton Park from 11.45pm on Wednesday 18 February.

An NPLFA spokesman said: "January's information evenings have been well attended at each club and there are many more events going on in February at all the NPLFA's clubs."

To register an interest in attending the events visit: www.nplfa.co.uk/register.php.

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

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