The Football League Trust has launched a ground breaking national partnership with youth charity The Duke of Edinburgh's Award which aims to inspire, enthuse and motivate young people to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) through football activities at Football League clubs across England and Wales.

The collaboration will see a number of League clubs working closely with the DofE to provide the opportunity for young people to take part in a series of physical and social activities to get them fit, grow in confidence, develop their passions and bring communities closer together. By successfully completing their DofE programme they will achieve a Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP (pictured), launched the partnership at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground and in giving the Government's endorsement said, "There is nothing more inspiring in sport than having the opportunity to train alongside your heroes, at your team's ground and with professional coaches. This is exactly what the DofE and The Football League Trust are doing for young people across the country.

"This is a fantastic example of two organisations coming together to share their expertise in order to get young people motivated and inspired to take up sport."

Initially, 17 Football League clubs will take part with a further expansion planned for 2009. In the first phase the following clubs will contribute: Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Exeter City, Hartlepool United, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton Town, Nottingham Forest, Notts County, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Reading, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United, Southend United, Tranmere Rovers and Watford.

In welcoming the new partnership, Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive, DofE said: "The DofE is delighted to be working in partnership with The Football League Trust. Our alliance will enable us to challenge social and cultural barriers to help individuals and build stronger communities. The combination of young people's passion for football and our youth development expertise, our combined national networks and the valued Duke of Edinburgh's Award will create a winning team that will benefit thousands of young people in the years to come."

The Football League Trust was formed last year to oversee Community and Youth Development activities at Football League clubs. Its General Manager, Dave Edmundson, said: "This is the Trust's first partnership agreement and really underpins our focus to 'Make Every Goal Count'.

"Both organisations will become an influential team that will inspire young people to be the best that they can be, and hopefully go for Gold.

"This is the power of football in action for the greater good and Football League Club community programmes will be fundamental to the delivery of the DofE programme."