Second chance to sign for academy

Starting in late November and running through to January, the ‘Winter Trials’ were announced this week after the coaches at the NPLFA's 12 member clubs ran the rule over potential candidates for their 2017-18 intake at trials over October's half-term school holidays.

Nearly two hundred youngsters hoping to combine football with their education took the first chance of the season and the NPLFA's staff are now looking forward to hosting the second set of trials at ten member clubs after the success of the first sessions.

A spokesman said: "The ‘Winter Trials’ are the second opportunity of the year for current Year 11 and 12 students to showcase their talents with a view to joining the NPL Football Academy from September 2018. To attend any of the trials listed, please register your details at nplfa.co.uk/register and we will send you further information on the club you have chosen."

The NPLFA was founded with the backing of the Football Association at five pilot clubs in September 2014 to provide career pathways into the football industry with youngsters studying on two year BTEC courses 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.

Now expanded to 12 member clubs and still the only league wide academy in English football combining football with further education, the NPLFA is offering its fourth intake of students this season the chance to continue their education to degree level after teaming up with Loughborough College in the summer to launch a new higher education partnership.

To see the NPLFA's latest promotional videos and success stories, follow on Twitter at @NPLFA or visit: www.nplfa.co.uk.

NPLFA Winter Trials
Belper Town Thursday December 2017, 5pm to 6pm
Belper Leisure Centre, John O’Gaunts Way, Belper, DE56 0DA.

Carlton Town Thursday 4 January 2018, 11am to 12.30pm
Bill Stokeld Stadium, Stoke Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 2QS

Leek Town Tuesday 28 November 2017, 5pm to 6pm
Northwood Stadium, Keelings Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6PA

Mickleover Sports Monday 27 November 2017, 5pm to 6pm
Steve Bloomer 3G pitch, the Racecourse, St Marks Road, Derby, DE21 6AL

Mossley Monday 11 December 2017, 6.30pm to 8pm
The Vestacare Stadium, Whitebank Road, Oldham, OL8 3JH

Ossett Albion Thursday 7 December 2017, 7pm to 8pm
Dimple Wells, Ossett, WF5 8RN

Radcliffe Borough Tuesday 19 December 2017, 5pm to 6pm
Stainton Park, Coleshaw Close East, Off Pilkington Road, Radcliffe, M26 3PE

Sutton Coldfield Town Monday 4 December 2017, 5pm to 6pm
Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B71 1NL

Warrington Town Friday 5 January 2018, 12pm to 3pm
Cantilever Park, Warrington, WA4 2RS

Witton Albion Friday 5 January 2018, 10am to 11.30am
Sandbach Community Football Centre, Hind Heath Road, Sandbach, CW11 3LZ

* Trialists are asked to bring training kit, shin pads, boots suitable for a 3G surface and a drink.

Images courtesy of @NPLFA/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague