Sports clubs have teamed up with Filton College in Bristol to create the Bristol Academy of Sport.

The initiative allows students to combine up to 10 hours of sports training a week with full-time academic learning. Students can focus on rugby, football, golf, netball, hockey or basketball as well as studying a core academic subject.

A group of local organisations including the Bristol Shoguns, Bristol Rovers Football Club, the Bristol Bombers, the Bristol Golf Club and the Clifton Ladies Hockey Club are delivering sporting programmes for the academy which has access to full size rugby pitches, football pitches, floodlit hockey and netball pitches, a weights/personal fitness suite, a lecture theatre and a sports bar.

Kevin Hamblin, principal of Filton College says in order to increase participation in further education, it's important to provide the opportunity to concentrate on sport while achieving academic qualifications: 'I am pleased we are working with so many key sporting organisations in the Bristol area, emphasising strong support from the sporting community for this initiative.'

Bursaries will be awarded to 'outstanding' students who 'combine a commitment and enthusiasm to sporting excellence'.

The college is hosting a series of Sports Academy pen days including tours of all academy facilities around Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Contact Filton College 0117 931 2121.