Nailers are latest academy recruits

Belper Town are looking forward to hosting their first open evening for prospective students after becoming the third EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club since the start of the season to sign up to the new NPL Football Academy.

The Nailers - following in the footsteps of Lancaster City and Witton Albion who confirmed their entry into the NPLFA next season since the start of the current campaign - officially signed up to the ground-breaking initiative on Monday night.

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 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.

Officials at the NPLFA's newest club are now preparing to host an information evening for students aged 16-18 and their families at Christchurch Meadow on Monday 19 January from 6.30pm.

Those attending will hear how students 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.

Welcoming the Nailers on board, an NPLFA spokesman said: "We are delighted that Belper are joining the programme. The Nailers have a fantastic set up at Christchurch Meadow and we are looking forward to a successful working relationship with them."

Launched back in April with the backing of the Football Association to provide career pathways into the football industry, students who win a place with the NPLFA study on two year courses for Level 3 Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications.

Follow the new academy's progress at nplfa.co.uk, twitter.com/NPLFA and at facebook.com/NPLFootballAcademy. To register your please go to: www.nplfootballacademy.co.uk.

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