England Under-21s Head Coach Stuart Pearce has given his support to a UK Sport and English Institute of Sport (EIS) scheme which offers over 1,000 released academy footballers the chance to take up the challenge and switch their talents to targeted Olympic sports.

The aim of the programme, called Pitch2Podium is to provide young football players who have not yet secured a professional football contract, with a unique opportunity to succeed in an alternative Olympic sport.

Pearce said: "I'm very happy to offer my support for Pitch2Podium. I was let go by my local club at 14 and had to work hard to get back into professional football at a later age. It's always tough to recover from a setback like that but with determination you can succeed.

"For every player who makes it as a professional, there are many more who don't make the grade. I would advise any of them to take this chance to to try to get to the top in another sport.

"I hope to be going to the Olympics in Beijing this summer to look at the football tournament as part of The FA's preparations for 2012. I'm excited about the opportunity to experience a bit of the spectacle that is an Olympic Games. To take part in an Olympics would be a fantastic alternative for anyone who doesn't make it in football."