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ROCHDALE Hornets have devised an innovative scheme for 25 young elite players to get their education and continue their Rugby League career development when they leave school.

Hornets have linked with one of the North West's leading sports-providing colleges to offer a full-time course in rugby development that will also feed Hornets' under-17s team in 2003.

Hopwood Hall, based in Middleton, has hosted national training camps and provided a training base for countries including England in the 2000 World Cup. Now, in partnership with Hornets, talented players over the age of 16 can enrol on a full-time college course with 50 per cent of the curriculum time focusing on elite Rugby League training.

For the first time talented players from across the country can partner with an elite club, and continue to play and train whilst accessing a full time accredited training course.

Hornets' general manager Liam O'Reilly said: "This course will provide an incredible opportunity for our sport, and our club.

"The drop-out rate of talented players at 16 is huge. Obviously young people need to focus on their education and making sure they have the qualifications to gain a career should they not make it in Rugby League.

"This course gives youngsters the chance to gain elite training utilising breathtaking facilities and support this with a range of accredited course from sports science to leisure in tourism to training to be a mechanic."

The course has 25 vacancies and is set to launch in September alongside all national further education courses. Applicants criteria for acceptance is in two stages: firstly in Rugby League performance and secondly there is an academic assessment to gauge what level of academic or practical course is most suited to the student.

Hornets' head coach Martin Hall is delighted with the partnership.

"I am really excited about this scheme, for the first time we can offer a fantastic incentive for the best young players to come to Rochdale," Hall said.

"We will use this course to work with our scholarship programme and also to feed directly in to our Under 17's team for 2003.

"This is a major opportunity for youngsters to develop their career in the sport, as well as gain a valuable education for when they finish playing. In partnership with my coaching staff I will be working directly with these youngsters in curriculum time, and they will have training opportunities with our first team, as well as representing the Hornets at Under-17 and Academy level."

The course is also open to senior players who may require additional training for employment outside of the game - specifically part-time professional players.

"One or two of our first team squad have demonstrated an interest in the programme, because they can combine education with their playing and gain valuable additional training hours, in one of the best training facilities I have ever worked in," Hall added.

The course has been devised and orchestrated by Hopwood Hall College, who have run a similar course for football for the past three years. The college is also in the final stages of constructing a state of the art indoor training facility which will be unparalleled in the Northwest.

Hopwood Hall is offering a residential status for students on the course.

Hornets are appealing for elite young players, especially those concluding their term on scholarship programmes and considering leaving the game to focus on education, to contact them as soon as possible if they may be interested in applying for a place on the course.

Applications should be in writing to: Martin Hall, Head Coach, Rochdale Hornets RLFC, PO Box 48 Rochdale OL16 1PE