A NEW state-of-the-art sports science hub, a first for East Lancashire, is ready to develop Burnley's next generation of sporting talent, before a ball is kicked in France this summer or a race run in Rio.

Clarets bosses are among those eagerly anticipating what the Human Performance Centre at Burnley College will bring to bear, before a summer of sport begins in earnest.

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Centre instructors will be working closely with Burnley FC academy starlets as part of a top-flight conditioning and teaching set-up at the Princess Way campus.

Alison Cameron-Brandwood, the college's assistant principal, said: "We're extremely proud to be able to offer local and national athletes a facility dedicated to enhancing performance.

"To be in the privileged position to offer state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding teaching shows our commitment to our Elite Athlete and Sports Academy programmes, as well as our outstanding sports and public services courses, which already have some of the best success rates in the country."

And the performance centre link-up between the college and the Clarets means that the latter can be classified in a higher academy bracket with the Football Association.

Jason Blake, Burnley FC's academy manager, said: "Our academy players are really excited about using high-spec professional equipment to train with at the Human Performance Centre.

"They will also be utilising the centre's sports science testing facilities for sports medicine screenings, giving our eight to 16-year-old players weekly access to outstanding training resources.

"Our use of the centre also demonstrates our huge commitment to achieving Category 2 Academy status. The support being provided by Burnley College is invaluable and will further enhance the Burnley's aim to develop elite athletes."

College governor David Brown said: "The centre will have an extremely positive impact. That local teams such as Burnley Football Club's academy are also able to utilise the professional-standard equipment to enhance their training programmes is a great boost to our community."

Some recent elite athlete programme luminaries include Marko Marosi, a public services student who has gone on to play for Doncaster Rovers, sports studies ace William Holden, who was selected for Scotland's under-19s rugby league side, and goalkeeper Marcus Burgess, who has had trials for England schoolboys and trained with Everton.