A FIRST crop of young sportsmen has begun studying for a new qualification at a Clevedon football academy which is soon set to expand into rugby and netball.

North Somerset Times: Teenagers who have signed up for new football qualification.Teenagers who have signed up for new football qualification. (Image: Archant)

A group of 18 sixth form pupils from Clevedon School have started lessons in a football BTEC which is being run in conjunction with Clevedon Town Football Club.

In May, the Davis Lane club launched its brand new Professional Soccer Academy aimed at providing professional coaching to young footballers but also to educate teenagers on many aspects of the sporting world.

The football BTEC, which once complete will give pupils the equivalent of two A-levels, will see the teenagers taught about subjects including nutrition, anatomy, psychology, injuries and business studies while also learning technical and tactical skills in football.

Thanks to the amount of interest shown in the football qualification, the club is hoping to also run rugby and netball BTECs from next year.

Based around the same sports management subjects, they will be taught by the club’s staff as well as coaches specialising in each sport.

Clevedon Town managing director Steve Spicer said: “We are delighted with the uptake so far.

“We hope to promote the new BTECs at the school’s option evening in October.

“The football course is open to all but at the moment we have only attracted boys.

“We hope the netball BTEC will encourage more girls to take part.”

As part of the club’s development plans, it also hopes to launch a rugby academy in either January or February for players aged 11-18.

It has been working with Clevedon Rugby Club on the initiative and trial days will be held in October for any youngsters interested in joining.

Proposals to create new facilities at the site, including an indoor sports hall, are still being progressed and the club is waiting to hear whether applications for funding from Sport England and the lottery have been successful.