A FOOTBALL academy to produce star players and coaches of the future is being set up in Oxford.

Oxford United has teamed up with Peers School to launch the full-time football academy open to 16- to 18-year-olds eager to make it as professional footballers - especially those that may have slipped through the current scouting net when they were younger.

Students enrolled on the course, which kicks off in September, will learn on the pitch and off it, gaining BTec and NVQ qualifications in football and coaching while working on their soccer skills.

Owen McGovern, Oxford United's youth and community manager, said the course would offer a unique combination of qualifications.

He said: "The course is rare and there are few like it in the country, so we are proud to be offering it."

Oxford United chairman Nick Merry added: "This is an exciting venture for the club and we are looking forward to strengthening our ties with the community while potentially finding new talent."

Plans for the academy, which will be based at Peers School in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, are being finalised.

The initial intake will be 25 teenagers.

Simon Abercrombie, head of teaching and learning at Peers, said: "This is something we have been looking to set up for some time so we're delighted to be getting it off the ground now.

"It will be a full-time football and education programme."

Mr McGovern said: "The impact of the academy could be massive.

"Essentially, it will be for young players in the Oxfordshire area who are already playing a good standard of football but, for whatever reason, they have not made it into a professional club.

"This is about keeping their dreams alive and providing education and coaching at the same time.

"Every young player dreams of being given the chance to become a professional footballer. There are often a lot of late developers.

"We will be keeping a close eye on the students' progress with the idea being that we can take some on full time at United. This will be a great opportunity for them to put themselves in the shop window.

"There will be very close links to United's youth academy. It will also be good for Peers School."

Mr Abercrombie added: "As a school coming out of special measures, this is a an exciting project for us. It's a fantastic opportunity."

Oxford United runs its own youth academy which takes on under-17 and under-18 players each season.

This year, it has 14 youth players on its books.

Mr McGovern said: "There is always a limit on how many we can take on at United. A course like this gives late developers a chance to shine through."

Jonathan Wilson, spokesman for the FA, said there were few courses in the country with such "positive" links between club and community.

Birmingham City and Sheffield United also run similar academies.

  • To apply for a place at the academy, call Oxford United on 01865 337515 or visit www.oufc.co.uk For more information about the course, you can contact Mr Abercrombie on 01865 774311 or simon.abercrombie1689@peers.oxon.sch.uk or Owen McGovern at omcgovern@oufc.co.uk