Real prize is to be a regular in the first XI

This season has witnessed a glut of Riccarton academy pupils graduating to the first team, showcasing their potential in the SPL and establishing themselves as the most prodigious collection of youngsters in the country.

Their emergence is not merely down to financial restrictions or a horrendous injury list.

It is testament to their ability and the coaching structure at Riccarton that manager Jim Jefferies has more home-grown talent to choose from than any of his Tynecastle predecessors.

Therefore, on Sunday 25 April, almost an entire team of young players – potentially the backbone of the club's future – will challenge for end-of-season recognition.

Awards for Hearts' Under-17 Player of the Year, Under-19 Player of the Year and overall Young Player of the Year will be handed out, although it could be argued that the biggest achievement of these kids has been infiltrating the first-team squad at one of Scotland's most high-profile clubs.

Arvydas Novikovas, Gary Glen, Scott Robinson, Gordon Smith, Craig Thomson, Paul Mulrooney, Ryan Wallace, Jonathan Stewart, David Templeton, Ryan McGowan, Rocky Visconte and Mark Ridgers make up the Class of 2009.

They are seeking to emulate predecessors such as Eggert Jonsson, who progressed through the Hearts youth programme after joining as a raw 16-year-old from Iceland's KF Fjardabyggd.

Even this year, Jonsson is one of five nominees for the overall Young Player of the Year award, alongside Craig Thomson, David Templeton, Scott Robinson and Gordon Smith.

The event is organised by the Hearts Youth Development Committee, an independent body founded by the then Tynecastle manager Joe Jordan back in 1991.

All proceeds raised by the HYDC are reinvested in the development of young players at Riccarton, so committee members are entitled to let their chests swell with pride this season.

"Our Young Player of the Year this year could end up being the club's main Player of the Year next year.

"These boys are not just squad members, a few of them actually look like they're going to be something special in the future," said Ricky Borthwick, an HYDC member.

"It's a really exciting time for us. We are just a small organisation trying to give the club money so that John Murray and Darren Murray (academy director and under-19 coach respectively] can give every boy a chance of coming through at the academy.

"We work hard on events such as Burns Suppers and golf days and, when you see two and three coming through into the first team, it's great.

"Some of the youngsters have come in and got a bad injury which has held them back a little. If they were all fit, God knows how many would have cemented a place in that squad.

"With the state of football nowadays, there won't be much money for transfers in the immediate future. Every club is in the exact same boat as us.

"We have to bring boys through but they have to be educated so they are ready for first-team football. They have to know what is expected and the kids right now are champing at the bit.

"They've seen fellow players such as Craig Gordon and Lee Wallace breaking through the ranks and going on to bigger and better things.

"I think there is real excitement at Riccarton just now for that very reason."

The Young Player of the Year evening will also include the chance for supporters to win a golf day for two at Archerfield Golf Course, where the opposition will be none other than Tynecastle legends John Robertson and John Colquhoun.

The prize will be won by silent auction and the highest bidder will have breakfast, golf and dinner with two of the club's most iconic figures from the past. To bid for the golf day, simply email: [email protected]

HEARTS' Young Player of the Year awards ceremony takes place on Sunday 25 April in the Gorgie Suite at Tynecastle, starting at 7pm.

For just 35 per person or 350 for a table of ten, you can enjoy a three-course meal and guest speaker Paul Reid.

There is entertainment throughout the evening, culminating in the presentation of awards to the club's under-17, under-19 and overall Young Player of the Year.

Anyone interested can book their place now by calling Shelley Kay on 0131 200 7244 or emailing: [email protected]