WORCESTER City aim to bridge the gap between grassroots and academy football by opening a new talent centre in the city.

The Blue and Whites have linked up with the Nerf Junior Premier League to run football sessions at Bishop Perowne College, Merrimans Hill Road.

The Regional Talent Centre (RTC), the latest one of five across the United Kingdom, will be for players between the age groups of under sixes and 11s.

Free open trials will be on Friday this week and next when youngsters have the chance to develop and get involved with various teams.

Mark Wilcox, youth director at City who have sides ranging from under 10s to 18s, said: “We are trying to give local players in Worcester the ability to gain better coaching and progress without having to travel outside of Worcestershire.

“There is an opportunity for players to develop and participate in various teams and hopefully one day push through the pyramid and play for the first team.”

The move sees the RTC take over the successful Elite Skills Football Academy which has been running in Worcester for two years.

Wilcox added: “We have been looking into this for about 12 months and it’s just been about trying to find the right location and resources.

“But we have taken over an existing training session which was done by Kevin Brookes and are starting on Friday. We have already had a huge amount of interest.

“I know there have been other ventures recently but we are the only football club who are allowed to train and play within Worcester in the Junior Premier League.”

A spokesman for Elite Skills said: “We are really excited about the future of youth football in Worcestershire and looking forward to the newly-formed partnership with the aims the centre strives to achieve.”

To register for the open training sessions, contact Wilcox by emailing mark.wilcox@worcestercityfc.co.uk or phoning 07836 719477.