§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will trial the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme before it is introduced to all relevant sporting organisations; [146458]
(2) how the more academically gifted young footballers' academic requirements will be taken into account when the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme is introduced; [146459]
(3) if he will delay the introduction of the modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme until full consultation has been possible with all those involved; [146460]
198W(4) if he will allow sporting organisations more flexibility than provided for in the proposed modern apprenticeship in sporting excellence scheme to adapt the scheme to allow progression in careers other than sport. [146461]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisIt was the intention to introduce the new Modern Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence MA SE for football from August 2004. I have decided that the current football scholarship will be available for a further year while work to develop a Modern Apprenticeship framework appropriate for football is continued. We ensure that all relevant football interests are consulted about the design of the framework. The scholarship will then be phased out from 2005.