Monday 24 July 2017 16:57, UK
Four Newcastle players have set up an academy to help youngsters reach the Premier League, but admit their own positions are at risk.
Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Paul Dummett and Rob Elliot introduced the new project to Sky Sports News on Monday, with the scheme set to run for an initial six-week period.
The Newcastle squad are preparing for life back in the top flight after promotion from the Sky Bet Championship last season, but the first-team players are eager to give local youths their own opportunity to reach elite level.
"In the Premier League in the last few seasons we have seen Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy - players who have come through non-league football and been a success story in the Premier League and this is where it starts," Ritchie told Sky Sports News at the academy's opening.
Elliot added: "When you see Newcastle, not only on a matchday, there are lots of black and white shirts - the support is the best I have ever seen.
"To be able to get the kids and give them a chance and hopeful find a few gems and give them as much an opportunity to play football just seemed like the right thing to do."
Newcastle will return to the Premier League with the visit of last season's runners up Tottenham on August 13, live on Sky Sports 1.
Rafa Benitez has already brought in the likes of Jacob Murphy from Norwich and Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid this summer in preparation for the new campaign, and the Newcastle players are all too aware their own positions in England's top division are not guaranteed.
"The squad we have done well to win the league last season," Dummett said. "Everyone who is in the squad is desperate to show what they have got.
"We all want to be playing so it is up to us to fight for our place. We know we have got good competition so we want to hit the ground running first game of the season."
Ritchie added: "It's what the Premier League us about - playing the best teams against the best players. Spurs in the last two to three years have really kicked on and come in as real title contenders this season. It's exciting and we are looking forward to it."
