Cowan's course is proving a real winner with students

Gavin Cowan, the director of Shrewsbury-based Crossbar Coaching Education in Sport, said there is an opportunity for three more ambitious local teenagers to join the full time programme for the Crossbar Football Performance Academy.

Based at Hadley Learning Community in Telford, the group of 22 students from across Shropshire are working towards achieving a Level 3 BTEC national extended diploma in sport, the equivalent of three A Levels.

They also spend plenty of time on the practical side, perfecting their football skills via a number of training sessions each week, while they also play regular matches against teams from around the UK.

Former Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United defender Cowan said: "The course is going phenomenally well and we've got a great group of students. The early feedback we've received has been excellent.

"Through our connections, we've also arranged some trips and recently took them to St George's Park, the FA's National Football Centre. We were treated to a tour, had some lunch, watched the England under-21s train and then the students also had the chance to train on the excellent pitches.

Cowan added he would be pleased to welcome three more recruits to the course: "We've got 22 on board and there's room for 25," he said.

"We're off to Marlborough College in January, perhaps the most prestigious sport college in the country, on a residential visit, so if there's any young men aged 16 and over who feel they would like to join us, they are more than welcome to come and have an interview."

Crossbar are also inviting applications for three more people – open to both male and females aged between 16 and 18 – to join their PE in School Sport apprenticeship programme.

Applications to join the Academy, or to become an apprentice should be submitted to admin@crossbarcoaching.com with more details available by calling (01743) 362368.