Kick off for college sports course

TALENTED players are sharpening up their ball skills at Oldham College’s new football centre of excellence.

The 22 students who are studying sports courses have been selected to benefit from specialist football training.

The centre has UEFA qualified coaches, a goalkeeping specialist and a physiotherapist, and is run in partnership with private training company Interactive Sports.

Three of its players — Jack Beasley, Kion Pryce and Chris Simpson — have already been chosen to take part in trials for the under 19 England colleges team.

Jack (16) said: “I’ve been playing football since I was 8 and have been a member of Springhead Juniors football team, progressing to the youth team.

“I chose this course as I want to study sport and develop my skills as a footballer. Being selected to take part in the England colleges trials was a really great feeling.”

The first round of trials for people who want to join the centre of excellence in September, 2011, take place in December. Contact the college on 0800-269480.