A NEW scheme has kicked off to help young Asian footballers impress professional football scouts.

Bolton Wanderers have teamed up with Bolton Council and Bolton Racial Equality Council to launch the Advanced School of Football Coaching - a scheme to target young Asian boys who play football to a high standard.

The boys will attend coaching clinics throughout the season and will get expert tuition from qualified coaches.

They will also get the chance to impress scouts from the Wanderers' School of Excellence and anyone who shows potential will be offered trials.

The first programme has just got underway at Hayward Leisure Centre with 20 youngsters, all referred through school teachers.

Cllr Gerald Riley, chairman of leisure services, said: "This is an excellent opportunity to increase Asian youngsters' participation in local football.

"We already have a wide variety of football schemes for all youngsters but felt that we had to address the fact that Asian youngsters are under-represented at higher levels. The scheme may very well unearth a new star."

Geoff Lomax, from Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community, added: "Bolton has a lot of talented footballers and we want to make sure anybody good enough to make a career in the game come to the town's team rather than our rivals.

"This isn't just about professional football though. There may be youngsters who aren't good enough to play for us but who still enjoy the game and play to a reasonable standard.

"We want to make sure they keep playing and improving their skills."

For more information on the scheme contact Steve Berrymen, Sports Development on 522311 ext.4152 or Geoff Lomax at Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community on 698800.

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