CINDERFORD Town are hoping to follow the Hartpury College model of youth development with a new academy created this summer.

The Causeway club announced the move, the latest by the new forward-thinking committee headed by chairman Stu Tait, opening the academy to Under-18s.

“Initially this will be setup as Under 18s only and will be a full time funded academy,” a club statement read.

“All players will play for Cinderford Town Under-18s, train four times a week and also undertake a BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sport.

“Initially this will be run for 24 students in the first year expanding to 48 students in year two.

“We are currently recruiting players for the academy that are in school Year 11 and Under-16s teams. In the long term Cinderford Town Youth will be providing many of these players and creating a pathway through to the first team.

“We believe that long term this will give the club an excellent opportunity to produce players capable of playing at Southern League level but more importantly will bring in much needed funds to the club, particularly in year two.

“The academy will run at Forest High School initially using their classrooms and 3G pitch for training with home games still being played at the Causeway.

“The academy will be a very similar setup to how Hartpury is run and will create the opportunity for local players to receive UEFA qualified coaching and education options without the expensive travel costs involved travelling to Hartpury.”