WHAT'S YOUR GOAL?

Together with The Football League, npower have launched their What's Your Goal? programme for this season - an initiative that gives young people once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in the football industry.

The launch is being led by Clare Balding who is heading a line-up of 11 successful women from the world of sport offering a unique chance to learn from the best. There are also over 350 work placement opportunities on offer at Football League clubs.

For the 2013 campaign, Clare has joined forces with high profile female professionals who have shot to the top of their game and enjoyed success within the world of football.

The likes of Jacqui Oatley and Kelly Smith will join Clare in a bid to encourage more girls and boys to think about a career in the nation's favourite sport and to continue to boost the profile of sportswomen in the UK, following the success of last year's Olympic Games.

The initiative is designed to encourage teens across the UK to start thinking about their careers. Clare Balding and the What's Your Goal? mentors will showcase the vast and varied jobs available to young people, both on and off the football pitch, demonstrating the range of employment opportunities available for both men and women.

Having demonstrated why they should be chosen for one of the coveted roles with a CV and video application, the 11 lucky youngsters will be thrown straight into the action.

One budding commentator will get to give their play-by-play account of the match alongside Jacqui Oatley at the npower Championship Play-Off Final, while another will learn what it takes to be a top TV presenter with Clare Balding.

Other roles up for grabs include reporting on all the action with Daily Mail sports reporter Laura Williamson, and receiving first class professional football training with Arsenal Ladies and Team GB's Kelly Smith.

In addition, young people can also get the chance to shadow Everton U17s Ladies Manager Mo Marley, Sheffield United Goalkeeping Coach Leanne Hall, Exercise Scientist for Birmingham Ladies Ellie Maybury, Sports Photographer Georgie Gillard, The Football League's most senior female referee Sasa Ihringova, MD at St George's Park Julie Harrington and Ipswich Town's Sales Manager Rosie Richardson.

Clare Balding said: "2012 was an amazing year for sporting achievement in the UK, especially for women, so I am delighted that npower will be continuing to keep up the momentum in 2013 and championing female athletes with What's Your Goal?

"Football is one of the most popular sport for women, yet it is still perceived to be a man's game, which is why it is important that young people have strong female role models to look up to who inspire them to kick-start their careers. We are looking for 11 youngsters to take up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and apply for one of the many roles on offer.

"During my career as a TV presenter, I have been privileged to present some of the the world's best sporting events. I am looking forward to mentoring a young person and providing them with invaluable, first-hand experience in the world of sport."

Clare McDougall, npower's head of education and community, added: "Last year's sporting success had a real impact on young people's perceptions of female athletes. We want to continue this with What's Your Goal? and encourage young people to think about a career within the football industry by providing them with a line-up of 11 inspirational and successful women from the world of sport.

"However, this is not a programme exclusively for girls; with mentors like Clare Balding, Jacqui Oatley and Kelly Smith, who are hugely successful in their roles, we are offering all young people real opportunities to gain valuable skill and experience, which is integral to employers when looking for employees."

Giving more young people across the UK a chance to try something new, in addition to the 11 national roles, What's Your Goal? 2013 again sees npower working with all 72 Football League club community trusts to offer over 350 valuable work experience placements across a whole range of different roles to students in Years 10 and 11 at their local Football League club.

Students in Years 7 to 11 are invited to apply for the chance to spend a day shadowing one of the high profile experts such as Clare Balding, and to find out more about the roles available at their local Football League club, by simply visiting www.npower.com/whatsyourgoal