Both Hibs and Hearts have benefitted from an SFA grant provided for their elite level academies to help develop players aged 11-18.
The governing body has invested £800,000 across all 25 Club Academy Scotland (CAS) clubs through their latest grant which provides an annual payment, with a differing amount of money going to each club, depending on their achievements in relation to the set Measurable Performance Outcomes (MPOs).
Clubs provide the Scottish FA with a document which takes into account performance in areas such as domestic club and Scotland international appearances for academy produced players and each club receives funds on a pound per point basis, relating to how they have performed in those specific areas.
A point is achieved by a club depending on how successful their players have been on the domestic club and international stage.
This year’s fee is an increase of £100,000 from last year.
Club Academy Scotland (CAS) is the Scottish FA’s structure that defines, operates and partially funds the Academy system in this country, alongside a games programme.
It governs the development of players from the age of 11 to 18 and the clubs have been streamed into the following categories:
Elite Level: Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hamilton Academical, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Rangers
Performance (Progressive) Level: Ayr United, Greenock Morton, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren
Performance Level: Dundee, Fife Elite Football Academy, Queen’s Park
Advanced Youth Level: Airdrieonians, Alloa Athletic, Elgin City, Montrose, Queen of the South, Stirling Albion
Campbell Money, Club Academy Scotland manager said: “Once again we are delighted to be able to provide each of our Club Academy Scotland clubs funds which will greatly assist them in continuing to improve on their Measurable Performance Outcomes (MPOs).
“Each club which is part of the programme has already received a boost over the last few months with them being able to return to the pitch due to COVID-19 restrictions lifting.
“This money will allow them to go from strength to strength and continue to progress the work they are doing to improve their players and ensure they reach their potential.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
