Tottenham Hotspur, the English soccer club, is taking the innovative step of putting its academy players through their coaching badges alongside teaching them the game.

The sport as a whole has attracted criticism for the way players can often be discarded if they fail to make the grade, robbing the sport of many who could theoretically contribute and leaving many young players without direction, having spent many years focusing on making it as a professional. Those of Tottenham's academy who do not become professional players will, it seems, still be able to pursue a career in the sport.

The young players began their Level Two Coaching Courses in association with the PFA this week with a four-day course. They were assessed both in practice and theory of coaching.

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"We've 20 lads here, we had a free weekend and it was the perfect time to try the coaching," academy manager John McDermott told the club website. "There are a number of things we can take out of it, not just football, but just as importantly how the individuals project themselves in front of groups and how they impose their character, confidence and professionalism.

"They did some basic training on Thursday and then worked with our Under-Sevens, Eights and Nines in the Dome on the Friday night. On Saturday the 11s, 12s and 13s all came in and then the 15s and 16s on Sunday, so it was a really good in-service training weekend for all the Academy.

"There are some budding Redknapps and Capellos in there, that's for sure - some really good coaches. Kudus Oyenuga was outstanding, he has a brilliant personality, Jake Nicholson, Paul McBride really came out of his shell. Every one of them had done a really good session by the Sunday and I felt quite positive about it."