Swans launch female academy alongside NPTC

Swansea City have teamed up with Neath Port Talbot College to launch an elite female football academy based between Landore Training Ground and Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
The female academy will offer young women aged between 16-19 the opportunity to study with NPTC and play football within the category one English Colleges League.
The partnership allows Swans coaches to deliver technical, tactical, strength and conditioning programmes while Neath Port Talbot Collages deliver A-Level and B-Tech education courses.
Girls taking part in the course will be coached by Swans girls' development coach Nia Davies and assistant Emily Hancock.
"This partnership will help bridge the gap between junior and senior women's football in south west Wales and open more doors for women's football in our area," said Davies.
"There is currently nothing for girls who want to play football past the age of 16 unless they go straight into the Welsh Premiership or continue to play grassroots.
"This partnership will allow that and give girls the opportunity to keep playing football at an elite college level whilst continuing their studies."
The girls' team will kick-off their season against Bristol Academy's Filton College on Wednesday (September 23).
Swansea will compete in the category one ECFA Premier League where they will come up against some of the best football collages in the UK, including Birmingham's Solihull and Oxford Academy.



"It is going to be a good season but it will be a very competitive league," added Davies.
"The girls are excited to get started. They have some great kit and can't wait to represent Swansea City and Neath Port Talbot college."
Barry Roberts, Head of Sports and Public Services at NPTC, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young women in our area to get a first-class education and continue playing sport.
"We've worked with Swansea City for the past ten years with the male side of the Academy - this link-up helps extend that to girls' football, giving them a fantastic opportunity to play at a college level."
Chloe Boxall, 18, is one of the students taking up the opportunity. She said: "I had to drop out of football for a while because there was nothing available for me to study and play football.
"But this opportunity means I will be able to continue playing at a decent level whilst studying public services. I can't wait to get started it is going to be a great experience."