SPORTS fanatics will no longer have to choose between their vocation and their football.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Bala FC, the 2017 Welsh Cup champions, are on the verge of formally announcing a joint Academy Scholarship programme.

The football club is joining forces with the college in a bid to encourage their academy players to continue with their education by attending vocational courses at one of the college’s campuses.

The partnership came about following meetings between club officials and college staff to discuss the best way to support young local talent to allow them to follow their dreams of football stardom, whilst also gaining a solid education.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor staff will visit Bala Academy’s training sessions to give players information on vocational courses available at the college, and to discuss career opportunities.

The staff will also discuss how the college will support academy players during their studies by releasing them for matches and training sessions.

A spokesman for Bala FC said: “We are proud to be working alongside Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor as part of this exciting new scholarship programme, in the hope that more of our players take the opportunity to gain academic qualifications as well as develop their sporting skills.”

Eifion Owen, programme manager at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor agreed, added: “We are delighted to be working with Bala FC on this extremely important initiative. Young people need to be encouraged and supported to follow their dreams and aspirations but, as a college, we also wanted to ensure that each academy player has the opportunity to continue with their academic studies should their dreams not be fulfilled.”

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