An exciting partnership deal between @Futsal Ltd, Swindon Academy and Reading Football Club's Community Trust is giving fifteen 16-19 year olds from the Reading area a fantastic footballing opportunity to be a part of the new Futsal Education Scholarship programme.

The programme will provide scholars with a number of national qualifications which will offer them routes into football and education, whether it be university or a career in the sports industry.

Fifteen spaces on the Futsal and Education Scholarship have been held for Reading-based students - so get your application in to be one of the lucky youngsters to take advantage of this opportunity.

Find out about a presentation that is taking place at Madejski Stadium on Saturday 3rd April, and read all about what the course can offer you below.

The course
The courses kick off in September and are a step in the right direction to bring the UK up to speed with the sport of Futsal, which is the only officially recognised form of indoor football by worldwide governing body FIFA.

It is also supported by UEFA and the FA, and has been made a cornerstone of development plans for the football associations in the UK.

This program will see scholars learn from the elite, receive up to ten hours of weekly training from Coca-Cola Championship level coaches and watch Royals stars in training and in first team action at Madejski Stadium.

Training will also be supplemented by regular fixtures in the @Futsal National Youth League and other national Futsal leagues.

Royals scouting staff will watch the fifteen taking part in the scholarship - and the best could be given the opportunity to train with the Reading FC scholars.

It will all take place under the direction of former England National Futsal coach Graeme Dell and our Community Trust manager Lee Herron.

"This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for young people interested in pursuing a career in football to get a unique education.

"Futsal is a new and exciting brand of football and it is taking pioneering strides in the world of football coaching. It's fast, it's fun and it forces players into good habits on the football field.

"And by immersing yourself in such a great football environment, every young person who completes the course will naturally become better players, leaders and coaches."

Football AND an education
In year one, students will look to earn a BTEC National Award in Sport (Performance & Excellence), as well as Futsal Coaching Qualifications, Futsal Refereeing skills and a full diploma at NVQ Level 2 in Teaching, Coaching and Instructing Football.

In the second year, students can earn a Community Sports Leadership Award (CSLA), a Higher Sports Leadership Award (HSLA) and a BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence).

Or, in the second year, a more vocational route can be taken to earn a full diploma at NVQ Level 3 in Teaching, Coaching and Instructing Football and a BTEC National Certificate in Sport (Performance and Excellence).

How to find out more and apply
Young people considering enrolling on the new Futsal and Education Scholarship are being invited to a presentation - along with their parents - at Reading Football Club's Madejski Stadium where they will learn what the course will involve.

The presentation will take place on Saturday 3rd April at 11am and will include talks from Reading Football Club coach Lewis Goater, the club's Community Trust manager Lee Herron, @Futsal's Director of Education Craig Beecham and Swindon Academy's Simon Abercrombie.

The presentation is deigned to open your eyes to the different aspects of the scholarship - including the educational aspects and the coaching and playing elements.

The presentation will last half an hour and will be followed by a tour of Madejski Stadium led by one of our Community Trust team.

Book your place for the presentation as soon as you can - call our Community Trust Office on 0118 968 1415 to either ask for more information or to signal your interest in signing up to the programme.

Our ambassador
Royals striker Noel Hunt has agreed to be the club's Futsal ambassador and will drop in to a number of the coaching sessions to add his expertise throughout.

"Futsal is a great way to learn the game and these scholars will all improve so much in a very short space of time," Hunt said.

"These full time courses not only have a huge effect on players' on the pitch performance, but they also focus on academic pathways which can give the students the skills to get into university or employment within the sports and leisure industry."

So call our Community Trust Office on 0118 968 1415 to find out more about the programme or the upcoming presentation at Madejski Stadium.