by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent is kicking off a pioneering course in football and business.

The county has been chosen to host the Football Association's first Certificate in Football Business and Practice.

It is being held at the award-winning Kent FA's headquarters in Aylesford for staff involved in grassroots football.

The qualification, focusing on football business, leadership and finance, is a partnership between the FA and Buckinghamshire New University. Officials hope the scheme will be extended nationwide.

Students from Kent, London and Sussex study for the year-long certificate through two-day workshop sessions and work-related distance learning.

Stephen Sharman, national game regional manager for the FA in the south east, said: "The flexibility of the learning experience for the students and the fact that they can apply each module to their day-to-day roles was a key factor when designing the course.

"It is planned to review the progress of the course throughout the year and then offer the same opportunity to other County Football Associations around the country, with the aim of building up to three or four different cohorts."

The first students and officials launch the FA's certificate in football business

He added Bucks New University had a successful track record in delivering high-quality, industry-based courses combining a theoretical and applied approach.

Paul Morgan, the university's departmental manager for sport management, said: "We have already been impressed by the level of engagement and professionalism displayed by the students and look forward to seeing the outcomes of the course for their own career development and for the FA's wider business strategy.

"The real benefit of the course is putting into practice the football business aspects of the programme. Students also develop a real project linked to their job and wider FA policy."

Kent FA won the Business Commitment to the Community Award in the 2012 Kent Excellence in Business Awards.