Football-mad youngsters at Peers School, Littlemore have been honing their football skills under a new scheme and at the same time raising money for the school's sports equipment, writes Russell Smith.

More than 700 boys and girls aged from under 14 to 16 at Peers have taken part in the Umbro Schools Football Initiative which is backed by the FA with the support of England stars Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.

The youngsters raised sponsorship the school were aiming for 1,000 which they would then collect depending on their success in a series of skills tests set by coaches Jon Blencowe, Abingdon Town's player-manager, and Justin Merritt, the Thame United midfielder.

Joe Woodley led the way on the sponsorship stakes for Peers with 115, and any youngster raising 10 or more goes into a prize draw to win 150 worth of Umbro equipment.

Simon Abercrombie, the Oxford City midfielder who is Head of PE at Peers, said the scheme had proved a great success.

"They kids were absolutely superb," he said. "I have never seen them so focused."

Blencowe added: "It is really all concerned with promoting football and sport in schools."

Although this week's scheme took place at Peers, the initiative is ideally aimed at primary schools. Any schools interested can contact Merritt or Blencowe on 01869 324461.