LONDON, Nov 23, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) announced the final 100 players participating in "The Chance," a global search for elite amateur players to join the Nike Academy, a high performance program supported by the Premier League in England.

"The Chance gives young players around the world a great opportunity to showcase their talent, enhance their game and gain valuable insight into the mindset and physical demands of the professional game," said Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal FC. "For the Final 100, trial week gives talented young players the chance to train, play and experience life as an elite athlete, with an opportunity to enter the Nike Academy."

Under the watchful eye of elite level coaches and scouts, the final 100 players from 40 countries were selected from over 75,000 global submissions. Three days of intensive trials will be supported by world-class training and professional insights.

The final eight players selected will live in the UK for a year starting next summer and be a full-time member of the Nike Academy. Players will experience world-class facilities, elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with games against elite academies and professional reserve teams.

The final 100 players will travel to London on January 19^th to begin three days of intense training and competition, while being evaluated by a world-class team of coaches and scouts. Players will also participate in a series of training drills and tactical sessions aimed to broaden exposure to elite training techniques.

During trial week players will receive personal coaching expertise and tips from leading international coaches and professional players such as Theo Walcott of Arsenal FC. Under the guidance of Huw Jennings, Director of the Nike Academy, the coaching staff will assess the participants and select the final eight players for the Nike Academy.

"Trial week represents a tremendous opportunity for these young players to stake their claim and realize their potential to win a position at Nike Academy," said Huw Jennings, Director, Nike Academy. "The global reach of The Chance participants is exciting from a coaching perspective, leading to the intensity and high level of competition during trial week."

The final 100 players were selected by Nike through Nike Elite Training events, the Nike City Cup, as well as exposure through the digital platform.

To view the "The Chance" Final 100 players competing for one of the eight spots on the Nike Academy, visit go.nike.com/Final100. A group photograph comprising all Final 100 players is available at NikeMedia.com.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

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SOURCE: NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc.
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