Hibernian FC Official Site

Hibernian Youth Development Academy

Throughout the years the Youth Development Academy structure at Hibernian Football Club has been successful in educating and coaching potential players into professional footballers.

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.

To discuss how you can become involved in producing tomorrows players today, please call Russell Smith on 0131 656 7072.