A football club has announced the extension of its partnership with a London college.

Boreham Wood FC has announced that its main partnership deal with Barnet and Southgate College, in Wood Street, Barnet, has been extended for a further three years until July 2017.

Chairman Danny Hunter hopes that together the club and college can continue to provide one of the largest sports education academies in the country.

He added: “With Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazides graciously agreeing to open our new West Stand on Saturday, when we play against a very strong Arsenal side, this is the perfect way for us to announce such an important partnership. I believe more further education opportunities are needed for the area and the local community.

“For us to get a three-year partnership extension really is fantastic news. It gives me hope that we can now explore all manner of opportunities and if that ultimately leads to our PASE Schemes continued progress and local young people getting a chance to experience further education, while not having to travel out of the area, then it’s a win win situation.”

The PASE scheme, which aims to create a sports education partnership that fills a void in and around the Barnet and Hertfordshire areas, was established in 2002 and names the college as one of its key partners.

Barnet and Southgate College principal David Byrne said: “Barnet and Southgate College is excited to be working with Boreham Wood Football Club for another three years on an innovative sports education partnership for local 16 to 18 year olds. The football club has great contacts and previous students have caught the eye of England College selectors, professional clubs and achieved football scholarships in the USA, while other students have gone onto study at university.”