At present, over 5,000 children from throughout
the central belt of Scotland, spanning from the Borders up
to Fife and from the East to the West coast, benefit from
the expertise of the Hibernian professional football coaching
staff.
The development programme operates 6 satellite
centres throughout the Central belt. This provides grassroots
and community coaching which feeds directly into a performance
and excellence-coaching scheme with approximately 5,000 annual
attendances. Players are supported and developed to become
elite footballers within their age groupings, from Under 11’s
to Under 19’s.
The system produces 8 pro-elite squads per
season, from age range 11-19 (At age group 19 there is a dual
banding of Under 18 and 19 players). Teams are selected from
our satellite coaching sessions and play in the Scottish Premier
League Youth Development Programme
Players who progress from the satellite sessions
are introduced on a full time basis at age 16, and sign a
professional football contract. The potential first team squad
member is signed as an Under 19 player with the potential
to also play in the Under 21 squad.
The Hibernian Youth System implements a policy
of further education and all squad members undertake various
courses of their choosing at Edinburgh’s colleges and
universities. The implementation of the courses enables squad
members to gain a higher education award.
A number of players that are involved within
today’s youth system represent their national teams
at Under 19 level and beyond.
The Hibernian Youth System has been the catalyst
in producing the majority of today’s first team squad
members who were responsible for the progression of Hibernian
into the 2003-04 CIS Cup Final.
In recent years the system has produced players
such as Kenny Miller, Ian Murray and Garry O’Connor
who have represented Scotland at full International level.
Youth Development
Associate Sponsors
To produce the calibre of players within our
first team squad today, the Hibernian Youth Development Academy
requires a substantial financial commitment. The commitment
demonstrated by Associated Sponsors has enabled the programme
to grow, develop and produce the future of Hibernian and Scottish
football. Hibernian would like to extend gratitude to the
sponsors for this commitment.