FOOTBALL mad youngsters have been left disappointed after an examination board said it would not be offering an A-level in 'the beautiful game' after all. Earlier this week, it was reported nationally and in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that the Associated Examination Board would offer the A-level from September.

However, the board has now pointed out that it is not offering an A-level in football, merely extending the provision for studying football as an option to the existing Physical Education A-level.

George Turnbull, spokesman for the AEB, said the theory and practice of football will now make up 15 per cent of the total mark for PE students who choose it as an option.

Half of the 15 per cent will be made up of ball skills on the pitch and the other half will concern analysis of the game.

Mr Turnbull said: "This is not a coaching syllabus. It won't make them better footballers." Other options available will include cricket, netball and rugby, but students will also have to pair these up with an individual activity such as athletics, gymnastics or swimming, which will make up another 15 per cent of the mark.

The remaining 70 per cent of the course will still be dedicated to the theoretical aspects of sport such as psychology, diet and how the body works.

Mr Turnbull said A-level PE was now recognised as a 'proper' A-level by all universities.

David Whelan, divisional head of sport at Blackburn College, welcomed the announcement and said the college would do its best to provide the course.

"We will bend over backwards to provide all the options available," he said.

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