Recruitment already underway for next season

The Northern Premier League Football Academy's staff and coaches are looking forward to meeting potential members of next season's intake at a series of information evenings for students and their families next month.

The NPLFA opened its doors to its first intake of students in September, pictured, at five pilot clubs - Leek Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Romulus - and officials announced this week that recruitment was now getting underway for next season.

Three clubs have confirmed their dates for the events in December - Newcastle Town from 8.30pm on Monday 8th at the Aspire Stadium, Witton Albion from 7pm on Wednesday 10th at Wincham Park and Radcliffe Borough at Stainton Park from 7pm on Monday 15th.

The NPLFA say the information evenings are the first events of many planned at each club between now and the publishing of next summer's GSCE results in August 2015.

A spokesman said: "Activate your ambition and join the NPL Football Academy where you will study, train and play for an EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club. Anyone is welcome to attend, all that is needed is confirmation of your attendance to info@nplfa.co.uk as places are limited to 20 per club."

The EVO-STIK Northern Premier League is the first in English football to launch a youth league and academy combining football with further education.

Officially sanctioned by the Football Association back in May, the initial pilot programme has seen up to 20 students aged 16-18 studying for a BTEC Level 3 in Sport on two year courses while working with FA licensed coaches on a daily basis.

As well as competing in the new EVO-STIK NPL Youth League, they will also play in national competitions led by the FA Youth Cup.

EVO-STIK NPL Youth League - Matchday Three Preview

Wednesday's Matchday Three finally sees Romulus get their season underway when they play host to a Newcastle Town side buoyed by their fantastic comeback last week in a 4-3 win over local rivals Leek Town.

Romulus had a blank week on Matchday One and after their visit to Radcliffe Borough on Matchday Two was postponed due to the weather, they will be eager to get underway.

In the other game, Mickleover Sports, fresh from their rest last week, take on Leek Town who will be hoping to gain a positive result after last week's comeback by Newcastle.

The NPLFA's representatives and a photoprapher will be at the Raygar Stadium on with live updates on both games available on the academy's Twitter account.

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

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