A RISING star in the world of Mid Wales football coaching believes exposure to top class football coaching could see more kids from Brecon & Radnorshire make it as professional footballers.

Nigel Mathias has had a busy 2013, netting the Central Wales Football Association Community Coach of the Year award.

He's also obtained his UEFA B coaching licence and manages the talented Llanidloes Ladies team, who play in the Welsh Premier League, while he is also part of the coaching schools that Premier League side Swansea City are holding in Brecon to develop local talent.

Mathias, 38, also finished runner-up in the Brecknock and Radnor Sports Awards' Male Coach of the Year category.

"It's brilliant for a Premier League team to be bringing their qualified coaches and experience to the South Powys area, an area that has been overlooked in terms of football development for far too long," said Mathias.

"It's gives children all over South Powys a chance to progress to the Swansea City Academy and who knows how far they can go after that."

For more on Nigel's story, read this week's ITALICS Brecon & Radnor Express ITALICS, on sale now.