WILTSHIRE College is teaming up with Forest Green Rovers football club to offer budding young football stars the chance to build a career in the game.

From September 2004, students will be able to take full-time courses at Lackham College, near Chippenham alongside 10 hours of football coaching a week from the Conference League club.

The partnership will allow students, male and female, to enhance their football prospects while also earning an academic qualification.

The courses on offer as part of the partnership are the First Diploma in Sport and the National Certificate in Sport.

The diploma is a one-year course and is the equivalent to four GCSEs. It is intended as an introduction to the sports industry and to develop the practical skills necessary for successful employment in a sport environment.

The national certificate is a two year course and is the equivalent to two A-levels. It combines practical outdoor activities with academic study.

As well as offering of these courses the partnership will also provide football coaching and fixtures to the youngsters and the chance to earn themselves a contract in the Forest Green first team.

Alan McDougall, head of sport, leisure and public service at Wiltshire College, believes it is a great opportunity.

He said: "We are hoping to attract both regional and local players. This set-up will allow the kids to keep their options open.

"The chances of them becoming David Beckhams are slim, but playing a good level of semi-professional presents great opportunities.

"The courses will cover a wide range of sport related subjects including health and fitness, nutrition and practical sport."

Forest Green first team player, Adrian Adams, 19, is a product of an academy system that the Conference club had set-up in Swindon.

He represented England at under 18 level in 2002 and believes a lot of this was down to the chance he was given by Forest Green.

He said: "Having been involved in football partnerships already, this is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in football coaching as well as studying for an academic course."

Darren Perrin, Forest Green's youth development officer, said it was a fantastic opportunity for youngsters in Wiltshire, especially the Melksham, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Corsham areas.

"It is an opportunity that doesn't come around too often," he said. "Unless you have a Roman Abramovich, you can't afford to buy players so if we can start reaching players young then it has to be good for the club and for them."

Forest Green manager Colin Addison, said: "We will help them in the academy to progress while they will help us by hopefully becoming first team players."

There will be a number of trials held over the next few months to determine the players with the most ability.

For more information contact Wiltshire College Lackham on 01249 466873 or e-mail info@wiltscoll.ac.uk.