A grassroots football academy celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of young players this week, with several graduates already attracting interest from professional club scouts.

The academy, founded three years ago, focuses on combining football training with academic support to give young athletes options beyond the pitch.

“We’re not just building footballers, we’re building well-rounded young men and women,” the academy’s founder said at the graduation ceremony.

Three graduates have already signed developmental contracts with professional clubs, a milestone organisers say validates the academy’s holistic approach to youth football development.