SOUTHAMPTON Saints will be recruiting for their young women's academy with an open evening at Barton Peveril College on February 12.

Now in its third year, the academy gives students the chance to combine their academic studies with honing their football skills.

The girls get eight hours of coaching a week from FA-qualified coaches, play regularly against other academy and college sides and have a chance to break into the Saints' reserve and first teams at FA Women's Premier League level.

They can also work towards valuable refereeing and FA coaching awards.

Sue Lopez, head of women's football at Southampton FC, is a great supporter of the scheme.

She said: "We take raw talent and develop it. I see many girls grow in confidence and we would encourage any girls who feel they have what it takes to see us at the open evening, which runs from 5.30-9pm."

Anyone wanting a Barton Peveril prospectus should contact the college on 023 8036 7200 or email enquiries@imail.ac.uk

Saints, currently top of the FAWPL Southern Division, entertain third-to-bottom Enfield at Winchester City FC on Sunday (January 25, 2pm). The reserves face Chelsea at Stoneham Park, Eastleigh (2pm).

On February 1, the first team have a arranged fixture against Barnet at Winchester (2pm). Their scheduled opponents, Chelsea, are away in Dubai.

Former Southampton Saint Corinne Yorston has been named in Hope Powell's England women's squad for next month's international against Denmark at Fratton Park.

Yorston, who hails from Fleet, will be pushing for a starting place on her big return to Hampshire after signing for Fulham last summer.

The match will be played on Thursday, February 19, kicking off at 7.35pm. Tickets, priced £3 adults and £1 concessions, go on sale next week. Call the Portsmouth FC ticket hotline on 023 9261 8777.