Wannabe David Beckhams are to be offered a head start on the way to a career in football, it emerged today.

Thurrock and Basildon College is launching a new football academy which will enable school-leavers who live and breath football to study it too!

The academy is geared at preparing the next generation of professional soccer stars, as well as training new referees and coaches.

Students will study for a nationally-recognised Sport or Sport Science qualification, but will also get intensive coaching and learn how to deal with sports injuries.

Matthew Twitchett, head of sports studies at the college, said it was a welcome opportunity for youngsters to develop soccer skills both on and off the field.

He said: "We are very excited about this great opportunity to develop footballing and coaching skills alongside a coaching qualification.

"Graduates from the academy will have an advantage of an academic qualification to fall back on when their playing days are over."

Competition for a place at the college is set to be fierce. To find out more about the academy, visit the college's Woodview Campus on Monday, March 18, from 3.30pm until 8pm. For more information call the college hotline on 0845 601 5746.

Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002