Altrincham Football Club (AFC) has announced the launch of two new full-time apprenticeship schemes to provide people aged between 16 and 18 years old with sports qualifications.

Working in partnership with the SAP Scheme, the new Football Education Programme and the Sport For All Programme will run over a maximum 40-week period and can cater for 20-40 apprentices. The Football Education Programme will allow young footballers who have missed out on scholarships at professional clubs to work towards a semi-professional standard and secure NVQ qualifications in three disciplines - sport recreation, football coaching and first aid and child welfare.

AFC manager Graham Heathcote will be involved with delivering the Football Education Programme. He said: "It allows us to try and develop and train young footballers and give them an insight and experience of the level to aspire to." Meanwhile, the Sport For All Programme is designed for those aiming to learn skills in a range of different sports and fitness training, with the chance to work towards NVQ qualifications in sport recreation and first aid and child welfare.