Cheshire rugby league club Widnes Vikings have announced the launch of an in-house college course open to students aged 16 to 19 years old interested in pursuing a career in the sport.

Students will complete a BTEC National Diploma in Performance and Excellence at Level 3 covering sports performance, nutrition, psychology and fitness, obtaining the necessary qualifications to gain university entrance.

Based at Storbart Stadium, they will also develop communication, planning and delivery skills through work experience within the club's Valhalla Foundation community department.

Vikings head of performance Phil Finney said: "We believe it is ground-breaking because every aspect of this course will be delivered by members of Widnes Vikings' staff.

"This means we will have complete control over the educational, physical, technical and tactical development of all participants."