By Robbie Mann

A former England under-18s goalkeeper has founded a new goalkeeping academy with an ambition of becoming the biggest goalkeeping school across Sussex.

The Youth Goalkeeping Academy was set up by Tom Betts, who's aim is to help develop young goalkeepers, aged between eight and 16.

Founder of The Youth Goalkeeping Academy, Mr Betts, 19, from Patcham, said: "Our aim is to help progress young goalkeepers throughout Sussex to perform to the best of their ability and, if they want to, play to the highest standard of football possible to them."

The academy currently runs once per week for an hour, and has 15 in attendance.

Group sessions of up to four goalkeepers at a time and private one-to-one sessions are available to training goalkeepers.

Mr Betts said that his ambition for the academy is to become the biggest goalkeeping school in central Sussex by hoping to set up ten academies over the county.

His main focus is to help at least ten young goalkeepers develop themselves into getting a shot at a professional contract.

Mr Betts led Lewes Ladies Football Club to an unbeaten season in his first year as goalkeeper coach.

During his career he has represented England eight times as well as playing most of his career as a goalkeeper in the Ryman Isthmian Football League with Burgess Hill Town.

He has also trialed at Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Billericay in the Conference South.