An initiative to encourage future generations to participate in football and coaching has been launched in west Norfolk.

The College of West Anglia (CWA) sports campus has become a FA and ECFA - England College Football Association - football and referee development hub.

As part of the new status, the college will be given funding to subsidise football 'activator' training for students, encouraging them to play football and pass on their skills by volunteering in schools.

Sara Edwards, sports development officer for the college, said: 'We want to up-skill our students as much as possible so they have the skills and knowledge to get a career in football, whether that's refereeing, playing or focussing on the development side.'

The campus, based at Alive Leisure Lynnsport, will work with the FA and ECFA to improve opportunities for participants aged between 12 and 25 and those who want to develop a career in coaching or refereeing.

Harry Ward, 19 of South Wootton, is part of the college's elite academy for football and participated in a football activator course in Milton Keynes.

He said: 'It's given me the opportunity to receive my coaching badge and feel more confident to step out there with a group of strangers and say 'this is my session'.'

The hub was launched yesterday with a packed day including activator training and the college's elite football programme playing Peterborough United.

Have you got a story about opportunities for young people? Email sophie.biddle@archant.co.uk