Wanderers are offering local amateur football coaches the chance to tap into the club's Premiership expertise.

The Whites are running a Football Association-approved programme which gives coaches the chance to earn officially-recognised qualifications.

Sam Allardyce has given his backing to the Coach Education Programme, which begins its first course at Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club this Saturday.

Wanderers are keen to do their bit to ensure that amateur football coaches know how to get the best out of players.

The first course is already fully booked, but Wanderers are offering several chances to gain the FA's Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football - the first rung on the qualification ladder - between now and next May.

Applicants must be over 16 years of age and possess a keen interest in the game.

Jack Trainer, the club's coach education manager, believes that the course will prove invaluable.

Trainer, a former Halifax, Bury and Rochdale player who has held a UEFA "A" coaching qualification for 15 years, said: "Football has moved on considerably since I was a player.

"There's a lot more emphasis now on the importance of warming up and down properly, the dangers of picking up injuries through over-training and the role of nutrition.

"The Level 1 course provides students with theory as well as practical knowledge on football coaching. It will also give them training in first aid and child protection, which are mandatory qualifications in coaching football.

"We have now become an officially approved centre to deliver this FA qualification. The courses are aimed at parents and coaches of junior football teams who want to progress up the coaching ladder.

"They'll be held locally and will comprise of the most modern methods of football coaching."

Wanderers coaches will go out into the community in and around Bolton to offer the training course, which coaches will be able to use as a foundation to take a Level 2 qualification.

Whereas the Level 1 course is ideal for anybody with an interest or involvement in coaching players aged from five to 16, level 2 is geared for coaches who already have some previous experience at any level with regular participation.

"Bolton is one of the first professional clubs in the country to offer this coaching education," Trainer said.

"If we can give coaches of local clubs a better understanding of the modern game, it can only improve the quality of players coming through.

"But it's not just about that. It's about benefiting the game of football as a whole."

Those views are echoed by Allardyce - a man who knows well the value of coaching qualifications.

Allardyce said: "I have a personal commitment to develop Bolton Wanderers to the very highest level both on and off the pitch.

"Personally, I have gone through the different coaching levels and understand the importance of building a foundation for your football coaching."

Chris Sulley, Wanderers' academy manager, added: 'It is a new and exciting development for the club and offers an opportunity to provide a service for the community and a chance to interact with our Academy coaching staff."

For further details and information about prices, contact Jack Trainer on 01257 226222.