A NEW sports academy is inviting youngsters to try their hands and feet at a game with a difference.

Norton Radstock College has become the first such establishment in the UK to start teaching Australian rules football.

The first four students have signed up and now organisers have launched an initiative to attract more players.

The academy is being led by Shane Claridge, pictured, current Great Britain Australian rules international and last year's national team captain.

He said: "Aussie rules is a fantastic sport. It's incredibly athletic and it encourages teamwork.

"The level of fitness it needs and the team-building skills you learn from it would be useful for people playing any sport."

Already the British Australian Rules Football League, in London, has sent the college a starter kit of posts, footballs, jerseys and training videos.

Norton Radstock has also been sent free tickets so its members can attend a demonstration match between two visiting Australian rules teams at the Oval this month.

Shirley Arayan, college principal, said: "All learning requires elements of extra special experiences to broaden horizons, giving that extra something to an individual.

"This is the thinking behind the launch of our Australian rules football academy.

"It is an opportunity for young people to enrich their lives and do a bit of travelling, perhaps to attend Aussie rules matches in Europe and, eventually, in Australia."

The academy will be holding training sessions at Norton Hill School, Midsomer Norton, which has a large playing field and showers.

In Australia, the sport is played on a ground the size of a cricket oval 180 metres long with a maximum width of 110 metres.

The game is based on Gaelic football and was developed to keep cricket players fit in the off-season. Norton Radstock College's ultimate aim is to build up two teams.

Mr Claridge said: "A full team needs 18 players but there are various shorter versions of the game for juniors which require only 13 or 15 a side.

"We're looking for young students from the college and local schools aged 16 to 18 years old.

"It's a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys all-action sport. My advice is to get in now while the academy is just starting up, and the sky's the limit."

Call Mr Claridge at Norton Radstock College on 01761 433161.