COLEG Gwent and Cwmbran Celtic have become teammates with the launch of a Football Excellence Programme.

The initiative is set to provide learners with opportunities to develop their football talents while gaining valuable life skills both on and off the pitch.

The inspiration stems from the Cymru South club’s hope to expand its presence in Torfaen and the college’s commitment to enriching the lives of its learners.

The programme will enable students to excel at football while receiving support in their education.

Following sporting initiatives for rugby and netball, it will be built into the college timetable.

Jess Pike, employer engagement advisor at Coleg Gwent, said: The Football Excellence Programme offers exciting opportunities for learners, whether they dream of playing professionally or want to improve their skills.

“Learners will benefit from playing on Cwmbran Celtic’s state-of-the-art pitch, accessing specialised equipment, like VEO technology to analyse their performance and coaching from Cwmbran Celtic’s expert coaches.

“Coaches will also attend college games to scout talent, providing opportunities for students to potentially join the club’s senior teams.”

The long-term goal of the partnership is to raise the standard of football at Coleg Gwent and the wider Torfaen area.

Celtic chairperson Barrie Desmond said: "Partnering with Coleg Gwent provides a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our ties with the local community while creating a clear pathway for young talent to progress to higher levels of football.

“We’re proud to be part of this initiative, which combines education and sport to develop well-rounded individuals.”