A new apprentice scheme is about to take to the ring in Bradford.

The Amateur Boxing Association of England wants to get unemployed people into the sport to help promote and develop it.

The association will be teaming up with the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure to make it happen and find suitable apprentices.

The idea of the project, which is part of the Future Fund for Jobs programme, is to give those out of work enough training and qualifications to get jobs at fitness centres and with sports schemes.

Apprentices who complete the course will be officially recognised as a qualified coach allowed to teach boxing in the community. The first apprentices are being recruited now.

Applicants have to have been unemployed for at least six months and be willing to dedicate at least 25 hours per week for a minimum of six months.

Apprentices will work with boxing development officers helping take the sport into education and community settings in hard-to-reach communities.

To find out more about becoming an apprentice, go to abae.org.uk Deprived young people are also getting a chance to build up leadership and enterprise skills by playing Rugby League.

Development agency Yorkshire Forward has joined forces with the Rugby Football League to involve 1,200 teenagers from areas including Bradford to join in a three-year project to become a coach, helper or match official.

Ruth Adams, assistant director of skills at Yorkshire Forward, said: “Many young people will pick up new skills on the short course and be provided with a certificate to boost their CV.

“Mixing with new people, gaining new responsibilities and getting involved with your local community, be it at an event or club, will provide the person with attributes which will prove invaluable at a job interview and throughout life.”