Social media launch targets first intake

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s ground-breaking new youth league and academy has started tapping into social media as officials prepare to name the final two clubs taking part in next season’s pilot launch.

Unveiled last month, the NPL Football Academy is the first in English football to combine football with further education and will welcome its first intake of 200 students in September after being officially sanctioned by the Football Association and backed by Euromatech, the global training provider run by Marwan Koukash, the owner of the Salford Red Devils.

Ten clubs are initially hosting the two year courses with Radcliffe Borough, Mickleover Sports, Leek Town, Mossley, Lancaster City, Newcastle Town, Burscough and Witton Albion currently preparing to take 20 students each. They'll work towards a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and play in the inaugural league as well as national competitions like the FA Youth Cup and if good enough, their parent club.

The initiative, which is running alongside existing youth set-ups, is expected to double in size the following season and will be regionalised with students learning and training on site with FA licensed coaches for 18-20 hours per week.

Potential candidates can already register their interest or find out more at www.nplfootballacademy.co.uk. With the academy now up and running following last month's launch, they can now keep up-to-date with the latest news and developments over the summer on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/nplfa or following @nplfa. Alternatively, the academy can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/NPL-Football-Academy/769184433092504.