Trials for next season's intake

Coaches at the ground-breaking NPLFA, expanding to 12 clubs next September after being successfully launched in 2014 at five pilot clubs, are holding open football sessions for potential students at Belper Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Mossley, Radcliffe Borough and Warrington Town.

The EVO-STIK NPL has been widely hailed for becoming the first league in English football to operate a youth league and academy combining football with further education. Well over 200 students are expected to be studying on two year courses for Level 3 Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications when the NPLFA's clubs welcome next season's intake in September.

While studying, students also train on a daily basis with UEFA qualified coaches and compete in the NPL Youth League and national competitions like the FA Youth Cup.

An NPLFA spokesman said: "With genuine pathways to the reserves and first teams at our clubs and also opportunities to study, play and coach in America with our pathway partners Soccer Chance USA, this is a fantastic opportunity for hard working, committed and talented young footballers."

The NPLFA's nine current clubs are Belper Town, Leek Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Mossley AFC, Radcliffe Borough, Sutton Coldfield Town and Warrington Town. Witton Albion, Lancaster City and one other unnamed club have already successfully applied to join next season.

For more information or to apply to join the NPLFA, email: info@nplfa.co.uk.

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

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