Deepdale will soon be inundated with qualified coaches wanting to exhibit their talents... but the club will be hoping they all display their playing credentials before handing them a tracksuit and a stopwatch!

PNE's second year youth team scholars are all set to face a close examination of their coaching credentials this week as they undertake the various stages of their FA Level Two Coaching Badge.

Director of Youth Dean Ramsdale explained that the initiative was of great benefit to his department in the long term. He said:

"We've been working with the lads for a little while to get them ready for the examinations, and though we've only had them for a couple of sessions they already think they can all coach! They've got exams Wednesday and Friday so that keeps them boxed off from the rest for a few days and it's great for me if they all get that qualification because I can get them all involved in coaching the Centre of Excellence kids.

"I had a couple of lads like Chris Thompson and Ray Shearwood doing that last year and it's great for the younger players to see the youth team lads getting involved as it gives them someone to look up to. We can also get them working out at the Development Centres with Darren Finch, heading round the local schools to help develop all the talent in this area."

For more information regarding PNE's Development Centres and how they can be of benefit to you, check out the Development Centres page.