Founder Dean Holdsworth is proud to announce the launch of the Non League Football Association (The NLFA) and would like to invite KoolSport NCEL players to become members.

Players can join for free by visiting www.thenlfa.com.

Why has the NLFA been formed?
The NLFA has been launched to assist the players of Non-league in their every day needs. It is estimated there are over 2 million non-league footballers in the UK, including schools, clubs and professionals. Whether you are a player for a popular Non-League team, a Sunday footballer, or part of a school football team, the NLFA can offer you support protection, education, discounts, latest news and player?s forums. The PFA has been a strong force in professional football but to date there has been no such support for Non League football. The founder of the NLFA, Dean Holdsworth, recognised the need to take an organisation into non-league and has spent the last 12 months developing the NLFA.

How will the NLFA benefit players?
The NLFA will be a positive force in Non League Football, helping players to forge successful and rewarding careers at this level of the game. The Non League Footballers Association can be both the springboard and the additional support needed for footballers moving in and out of the professional leagues

Never before has there been a recognised organisation solely dedicated to provide and assist players and fans of non-league. The NLFA has built a partner relationship with some of the biggest companies in the UK to provide services that individuals may need, ranging from a job finder, tailored medical and accident insurance, team cover, car insurance, free education courses and sports products at excellent rates for its members.

The NLFA also offers members the "Players' Lounge", where you can search for team mates and chat about the beautiful game for as long as you like.

What does this mean for Players?
One of the most popular benefits of the NLFA is access to their insurance packages. Non League players currently have difficulty getting insurance to suit their needs. As most non-league players have to hold down full-time jobs, this has a massive impact on their football career as well as their occupational career. If a player has an injury, they could stand to lose their income. For as little as 50p per week, the NLFA teamed with Karma insurance, can offer players protection. For a team, the NLFA partners can also provide access to MRi scans and medical cover, insuring the players are looked after to the highest standard.

What else are the NLFA doing to help?
The NLFA want to provide benefits of education courses to players and are also in the process of working in conjunction with the FA with the ?respect? campaign, dedicated to improve behaviour on the pitch, the NLFA want to help spread the word.

Role model
The PFA is a dedicated organisation led by Gordon Taylor, with over 100 years of service to its members. Dean Holdsworth, former chairman of the PFA said: "Gordon Taylor has been a fantastic leader for the PFA, his knowledge and dedication to lead the PFA has been unquestionable. His team behind him and the strength the PFA give confidence, integrity and loyalty to all its members. I feel that such a place is needed for players who are dropping down into non-league and also the players of the future.

"The NLFA will organically grow and our aim is to become a force to support and protect our members. Realistically every non league player should want to be associated with the NLFA as it can only help them in their journey within football. This is the first time that an organisation has been dedicated to assisting non-league players and fans."