A FOOTBALL academy for teenage girls is being set up in a secondary school by the charity arm of Sunderland AFC.

Hetton School, where current England captain Steph Houghton was a pupil, is working with the Foundation of Light on the initiative for female students in years seven to ten.

Young players will be able to combine academic studies with high-level football training at the Hetton-le-Hole school.

Acting headteacher Craig Knowles said: “We think it’s vital to create a strong pathway for female sport in line with our own educational pathways and this new academy will really establish that.”

Each year a selection process, undertaken by the foundation, will identify a group of girls aged 11-15, to begin the programme in September.

This process will be repeated in time for the start of each academic year and students are able to stay on the programme throughout the school.

All students on the programme will benefit from a minimum of six hours of advanced football coaching per week from fully qualified football coaches running alongside an educational curriculum in school.

An appointed head coach will work with the students developing all aspects of their game.

PE teacher Lisa Ridley said: “We are the first school to offer this exciting opportunity for girls.

“This innovative new venture will allow those students who are successful in gaining a place on the programme the opportunity to enjoy a stimulating and challenging football programme, while benefitting from a good education here at Hetton School.”

The Foundation of Light is a leader in female football running the region’s only girls’ regional talent club and a broad range of female football sessions and courses.

An open evening is being held on Tuesday, May 16, from 5.30pm for pupils interested in taking part.

Jamie Wright, Foundation of Light managing director, added: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Hetton School on this Girls Football Academy and applaud their efforts to bring female sport to the fore alongside education.

“We’d encourage young players and parents who’d like to know more about the programme to get in touch and come down to the open evening.”