A football academy for children has gained a prized status in its first year.

The Football Academy, based at Debden Park High School in Willingale Road, Loughton, was named a Charter Standard Club by the Football Association, which recognises the training and screening of coached.

Academy director Alex Skamiotis, who set up the academy after coaching at other children’s clubs, said: “For us to achieve that in nine months is unprecedented.

“We’ve been consistently working hard and getting kids involved in football.

“I’d been involved in coaching for a number of years at various different clubs and I saw how a lot of other clubs were running and how upsetting it is for kids sometimes.

“I wanted to set something up where every child came away with a smile on their face.

“We know that less than one per cent of kids make it into a professional club and we tell the kids to come and have fun.

“Parents have told me that their children have more confidence and are doing better at school.”

The academy currently has five Sunday league teams for under-sevens up to under-11s, as well as groups for younger children.

Mr Skamiotis, 39, said: “I want to set up more teams and work towards the next standard of chartered status.”

For more information on the academy, visit www.TheTFA.co.uk.