THE Football Association has chosen Albion as one of ten new Women’s Super League Academies.

The University of Brighton will be providing support under the Talented Athlete Scholarship scheme.

It means the university will help Albion provide training for the Women’s Super League Academy programme.

The announcement came on the same day as the university became the first official higher education partner with Brighton and Hove Albion.

The university’s Sport Brighton department is working with Tass, a Sport England-funded partnership between talented athletes, education institutions and national governing bodies of sport.

It works to bring the best out of young talents by creating an environment to develop athletic ability.

Claire Slater, the university’s Tass lead, said: “This is a tremendous accolade for Sport Brighton and one that recognises the expertise and skills we have to offer.

“We very much look forward to working with Brighton and Hove Albion in nurturing and supporting talented athletes.”

The announcement means rising stars of England Women’s football will have access to a full range of off-field performance services, for example diet and nutrition advice, as the FA Women’s Super League Academies kick off this month.

Sport Brighton’s team will be providing support such as strength and conditioning from Rob Nitman and Hallam Kimpton, alongside Claire Slater.

The programme will offer support to 16 to 20-year-olds.

The emphasis will be on encouraging England’s best young female footballers to combine a full-time education with their on-field commitments.

“Tony Fretwell, FA Women’s Super League Academy Manager, identified the need to develop a dual career academy system and believes an extensive commitment to emerging players will reap long term rewards.

He said: “The FA and FA Women’s Super League Clubs are working to establish a genuine dual career Academy system that brings together the clubs, further education and higher education institutions.

“FA WSL players can combine their footballing progression with their career aspirations.”