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A football academy which set up its goal posts in Doncaster just six months ago has already gained a world class reputation.

Esprit Football Academy, based at the Keepmoat Stadium, can blow the final whistle on 2011 having seen successes beyond all expectations since establishing in April this year.

The academy uses some of the top names from the UEFA coaching ranks and offers a range of football development programmes, alongside  education, for young people aged 16-24, including footballers released from professional clubs and for those wanting an insight into professional football, or sport-related roles including sports therapy or stadium management.

The academy is currently the base for 18 footballers aged between 16 and 23 from countries spanning the globe including Malta, India, the Caymen Islands and Oman. Many were released from a range of Premiership and lower league football clubs, and two are due to represent their countries in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Alistair Boyd-Meaney, managing director of Esprit said: “The past six months has been an exciting time for the Esprit team as we embarked on a brand new adventure.

“We have seen a great deal of success and we are already looking to an even brighter 2012 as we aim to enrol more than 30 talented young footballers to the Esprit ranks.�

Esprit has also recently signed a contract with a company in America that hopes to bring more than 100 footballers to the UK next year, to benefit from the coaching and excellent facilities available at the Keepmoat Stadium.

One of the current enrolled footballers is Olalekan Oyinlola (20) from Nigeria. He arrived at Esprit having had major surgery and severely damaged ligaments. He said: “Esprit has offered me a life line. Just nine months ago I thought my football career was over, but thanks to the help, support and guidance from the team here at Esprit Football Academy, I am back playing better than ever. The facilities here at the Keepmoat Stadium rival some of the best professional academies in the world.�

Esprit use facilities right across the town, including several venues within the Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust, The Hub and High Melton College for educational sessions and the Keepmoat Stadium with its seated arena, 3rd generation synthetic pitches and fitness and physiotherapy suites.

Julie Nichol, Keepmoat Stadium manager said: “To see what Alistair and the rest of the Espirit team have accomplished over the last few months shows that the hard work that they have put in has heaped its rewards and is thoroughly deserved.�

For more information about Esprit call O844 9970 130 / www.esprit-fa.com or for more details about the Keepmoat Stadium call 01302 762 560 / www.keepmoatstadium.com.