TWO 18-YEAR-OLDS are the first to gain jobs at Oxford United after coming up through the club’s football and education academy.

Ellen Hopkins, from Witney, and Gina Ianniello, from Carterton, have both taken on roles with the U’s after impressing while completing a BTEC National Diploma in Sport.

The duo both came through with flying colours and are delighted their work has been rewarded.

About 100 people have graduated over the four years that United have run the scheme, but the pair are the first to have been given jobs at the club.

Miss Hopkins, who is a teaching assistant and girls’ team assistant coach said: “To be able to use these qualifications to gain employment with Oxford United is a dream come true.

“The course allowed me to take my FA coaching badges which in turn opened up possible employment.”

Miss Ianniello, an admin officer and girls' team assistant coach added: “It’s a great opportunity to be given especially when I wasn’t really sure what direction I was going to go in after completing my BTEC at the academy.

“To be working in the sports industry already is fantastic considering my age.”

Academy teacher Ben Turner said the emergence of the duo gives great belief for people coming through the course.

“The girls really impressed with their hard work and hopefully the club and academy can continue to recycle its hard-working and talented students back into employment within the club," he added.

The course consists of training, playing and classroom work over a two-year period, at the end of which students leave with a BTEC National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A-levels at whatever grade you manage to achieve), as well as FA Level 1 and 2 coaching badges.

There is also the chance to gain a scholarship with the youth team for those who impress sufficiently in the first year.

The club have between ten and 15 more places available on the course, due to increased allocation, open to 16 and 17-year-olds.

They are running a trial on Tuesday at the club’s Roman Way base starting at 11am.

To confirm your attendance, contact the academy on 01865 776120.