Hibs youngsters set to study Laws

HIBS have become the first senior club in Scotland to sign up to a new initiative that will educate youth players in the Laws of the Game.

The 26-hour course will be undertaken by the club's under-19 squad at their East Mains-based Training Centre and will be overseen by youth academy manager Bill Hendry in conjunction with the Scottish FA's Referee Development Department and National Youth Project. Hugh Dallas, Head of Referee Development, has hailed the move as a breakthrough for Scottish football and urged other senior clubs to follow the Easter Road outfit's lead.

"This really is an important development for the game and something we have been driving towards for a while now," he said. "It gives these players an invaluable awareness of the Laws of the Game which, in turn, will hopefully result in more players having a deeper understanding of the decisions made by referees."

Dallas added: "The reality of football is that not every youth-team player will make the grade but, by taking this course, it opens up another possible avenue to players who may not be able to fulfil their potential as players. Craig Thomson is a perfect example of someone who has made a career out of refereeing and that may inspire a new breed."