NPLFA trials now only weeks away

30 Mar 2017 By David Watters

The NPLFA's tutors and coaches are looking forward to recruiting the next intake of students for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's ground-breaking academy when a series of trials kick off before Easter.

The open events are running at all 12 NPLFA clubs from Monday 3 April until Tuesday 18 April as the NPLFA's staff choose their third intake of ambitious students from youngsters either leaving school this summer or coming to the end of their first year in college.

The trials were announced on Wednesday as the NPLFA prepared for expansion to 13 clubs from September 2017 and catering to well over 200 students following the successful launch in 2014 at five pilot clubs of the first league wide academy in English football combining sport with education.

Founded 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.

The clubs offering morning and afternoon trials are are Belper Town, Carlton Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Matlock Town, Mickelover Sports, Mossley AFC, Ossett Albion, Radcliffe Borough, Sutton Coldfield Town, Warrington Town and Witton Albion.

For the second year running, the best of the NPLFA's students are also being honoured at the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's upcoming Players of the Year Awards on Sunday 9 April when Welsh legend Dean Saunders will be handing out the accolades in front of more than 300 guests at the plush Brooklands Holiday Inn near Barnsley.

Students and their families are also looking forward to rounding off the current season and enjoying a great day out at the NPLFA's inaugural cup final at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium, pictured, on Sunday 28 May.

To see the NPLFA's latest promotional videos and success stories, follow on Twitter at @NPLFA or visit: www.nplfa.co.uk. To apply to join the NPLFA, prospective students should register for the trials at www.nplfa.co.uk/register or request more information by e-mailing info@nplfa.co.uk.

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Where next?

Rangers rescue radio show at rivals Stafford Rangers made sure fans were able to tune in to their 2-2 draw at Whitby Town on Tuesday night by riding to the rescue of the radio station at their EVO-STIK Northern Premier League opponents.

Tuesday's Premier Division action review Spennymoor Town, with eight games left, look to be the main challengers to EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders Blyth Spartans after second-placed Nantwich Town were held to a draw on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.