SAINTS have drawn wide acclaim for the steady flow of talent entering the England national side from their renowned Staplewood Academy.

The likes of Calum Chambers, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are among those to become senior Three Lions players from the famous academy in recent times.

But Saints are not only producing for the England side on field, because they are helping shape national football for decades to come in another manner.

The education and charity branch of the club – the Saints Foundation – is schooling youngsters in a different type of football philosophy.

They are teaching young people Futsal, alongside a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport.

It’s called the Futsal and Education Scholarship and was set up in 2011 to help produce future coaches and sport workers with knowledge and a background at a Premier League club – as well as leaving with qualifications equivalent to three A-Levels.

It welcomes teenagers between 16 and 18-years-old and, just like a six form college, puts them through a two-year course which gives them the opportunity to go on to a variety of further education, at university or scholarships abroad.

They also run a sports based degree of their own within the Saints Foundation.

“The scholarship here is a perfect platform for students interested in a career in the sports industry,” said Saints Foundation education manager Mark Gamble, right. “Our classroom lessons are exciting and all taught here at the heart of the St Mary’s stadium.

“Most have gone on to further education, with the foundation degree we offer being a popular choice, whereas others have gone off to continue their education in America on scholarships.”

Within the course they play competitive Futsal, which is known as far a more technical style of the beautiful game. Futsal is played on smaller pitches with hockey sized goals and encourages quick passing and technical play with five players.

Fifty eight clubs are currently involved in the programme as the Football Association try to break away from kick and run football.

“Futsal is massively important,” said Gamble. “It’s very popular in Europe and is becoming a very popular sport here in England.”

The game, played on a flat indoor pitch with a smaller ball with a reduced bounce, has a big say in the future of the game in England.

“Things have already started to improve,” Gamble, who plays Southern League football for Wimborne Town, said. “It’s all about style of play.

“We’ve got some very good players. Eight of our scholars have been invited to the regional Futsal development trials for England, which is great.

“It shows we are moving in the right direction. The likes of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo played Futsal, that’s just how much value it has.”

• For more information on the Saints Foundation’s Futsal and Education scholarship or Foundation degree please contact Mark Gamble at mgamble@saintsfc.co.uk or by phone on 023 8071 1923.