KIRKLEES College will launch its own sports academy in September.
It is looking to recruit its first ever academy football team at the start of the new academic year.
The college hopes to develop the academy by offering football in its first year and plans to develop other sports for male and female students in the future.
The head coach for the football academy will be former Huddersfield Town striker Wayne Allison, who also coaches Bradford City.
Allison, 42, played professional football for 20 years at clubs including Halifax Town, Watford, Bristol City, Town and Tranmere Rovers.
His nickname was “Chief”.
He will run a football squad who plan to train at Leeds Road Playing Fields.
Sports coaches at Kirklees College hope to attract interest over the summer from keen and talented footballers who want to study a sports course at college, but also want to train in football several days a week like a professional.
Sports development officer Adrian Tallon said: “We’ve already got great opportunities for this year’s squad.
“We have strong links with semi-professional club AFC Emley and a top class coach to bring out the best in our students.
“The male football team is the first of a number of sports we will set up over the next few years.
“The students will not only have sporting opportunities on the field, but by studying a sports course with us, they will get ahead of the game with a qualification too.”
The academy will offer a top class football training programme which includes a nationally-recognised sports qualification.
They will also offer FA coaching qualifications and links into semi-professional clubs.
The new team will play matches in the British Colleges’ Elite League.
The college is looking for males aged between 16 and 19 who play football, want to study a sports course and want to play for the region’s newest academy.
Anyone interested can call the Kirklees College Sports Academy hotline on 01484 437053.
