Easter chance for next generation

Officials from the ground-breaking NPLFA say all 11 NPLFA clubs are staging 'open trials' for ambitious youngsters either leaving school this summer or coming to the end of their first year in college.

The trials were announced this week as the NPLFA's coaches and tutors prepared for its expansion to 11 clubs and an intake of well over 200 students in September following its successful launch in 2014 at five pilot clubs.

Since then, the EVO-STIK NPL has been widely hailed for becoming the first league in English football to operate a youth league and academy combining football with further education.

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.

A spokesman said: "Any young players with real ambition should come along to our Easter trials to see if they can earn a place with us because at the NPLFA you will gain a fantastic education and develop your football at the same time. Please take a look at when your nearest club is holding their trial and register your details at nplfa.co.uk/register."

The NPLFA's nine current clubs are Belper Town, Leek Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Mossley AFC, Radcliffe Borough, Sutton Coldfield Town and Warrington Town with Witton Albion and Lancaster City also on board for next season.

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

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