Last updated at 12:30, Friday, 01 June 2012

Sports student Chris Rowley is the first footballer to come through the Lakes College academy and is training with Workington Reds reserves.

Darren Edmondson, middle, with Chris Rowley and Nathan Dryden

The 17-year-old, of Keswick, has just completed his first year of a level three performance and excellence course, and is also showing promise on the training ground.

Chris, whose preferred position is on the left wing, is thriving under the tutelage of Workington boss Darren Edmondson, who is a lecturer at the Lillyhall campus.

Chris has been on the books of Premier League side Sunderland and Carlisle United and said: “Learning from someone who has been in the professional game like Darren has, is fantastic.

“The structure of the course allows me to play football, but only if I keep up to date with all my assignment work, so there is motivation to do well.

“There is a freedom with the course, and the emphasis is on me to perform both in the classroom and on the pitch.

“The academy has allowed me to carry on playing at a good standard, and training with the Reds reserves is a massive incentive.

“There is a chance of staying in the semi-professional game, but my efforts are focussed on making sure I do well on my course.”

Striker Nathan Dryden, 16, is also displaying some skills, which have interested Edmondson.

The level one sport course student reads the game well, is quick and has an eye for goal.

Links between the college and Reds were set up last July, and Edmondson said he was pleased with the way the first 11 months have gone.

Edmondson said: “Chris is our first success story, and there could be more next year. But more importantly than how good Chris, Nathan, and the others are at football, is how they do at their studies.

“Education is of paramount importance. If they let their standards slip then they don’t play for college and they don’t train with the Reds reserves.“It’s as simple as that. It’s great that we are unearthing talented footballers, but they must be looking to do well in the classroom too.”

Applications for courses which start in September are already being taken and Edmondson said it was vital that the football club continue to produce home-grown talent.

First published at 11:29, Friday, 01 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk