FIFE College has teamed up with young football talents to help develop their minds as well as their skills with a ball.

And more than 40 kids from the Fife Elite Football Academy (FEFA) 'graduated' last week with the presentation of SQA awards.

Formed in 2014, the academy is an amalgamation of the four senior football clubs in Fife – Dunfermline, Raith Rovers, East Fife and Cowdenbeath – and aims to focus resources on elite player development and improved provision of coaching and resources.

A unique partnership programme with the college sees their players work on their academic and practical abilities, with the course including nutrition, personal development and strength and conditioning.

The celebration event hosted by the college marked the first group of day release students from the academy to successfully achieve their SQA awards.

The awards were presented by Henry McLeish, chair of the academy, and Hugh Hall, the college principal.

Mr Hall said: “Congratulations to all the students who received their SQA awards at the FEFA celebration event.

"They have all shown fantastic dedication to both their sport and education over the last year and should be very proud of their achievements.

“Thanks also to Fife’s professional football clubs for their invaluable support of the programme.”

The programme enables young people, from S2 to S6, future articulation opportunities at the college.

The innovative partnership also benefits current sport and fitness students who have the opportunity to work with the elite academy squads during the programme.

To find out more about sport and fitness courses at the college, visit fife.ac.uk or call 0344 248 0115.