YOUNG female footballers in the region can gain a recognised qualification while boosting their ball skills when a new college programme kicks-off this week.

Gateshead College has joined with Darlington Arena to offer young women the chance to stay in post-16 education to gain a BTEC Level 3 in Sport while benefiting from top quality football coaching.

Those who join up will be able to train and study at either Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport or the Darlington Arena.

They will also be able to continue playing for their own clubs at weekends as they complete their studies and put into practice the skills they have learned on the course.

An open day for the course takes place at the Arena on Thursday from 11am to 1pm.

For further information and to book a place contact melanie.reay@gateshead.ac.uk or call 07736 638914.