Talent will always find a way and academies will be the guiding light

Relief to hear the future of Hibs’ school of excellence is safe

Hibs' chief executive Leanne Dempster has confirmed that, despite essential economies, the club's academy is safe. Picture: SNS.

P eople my age tend to go on about “you never see kids playing football now”. They think that, if we could only get back to playing football in the street with a tennis ball, we would again be producing great players for the national team.

In the eyes of these “things ain’t what they used to be” folk the bad guys are computer games.

In my experience computer games are highly enjoyable and so, unless you have some talent for football, it is much more fun to stay indoors, fight the aliens and save the world.

Undoubtedly fewer children are playing football but the ones with talent and a love of the game find their way to one of the clubs that run organised football for boys and girls.

They then have the chance of being spotted and offered a place in the academy of a Scottish Premiership team.

Future professional footballers are born with above average athleticism and coordination.

It is the job of the academies to find them and then nurture them.

In a well-run academy the youngsters work on all aspects of the game with a huge emphasis on technical skill and control of the football.

They are also taught how to conduct themselves and be good citizens.

All of the coaches are well qualified and many of them are former professional footballers.

It is, I believe, a sound system and one that is used throughout Europe.

I was therefore, concerned to hear that, because of the current difficult financial situation, Hibs were considering shutting down their academy. I was relieved when Leanne Dempster stated that, although economies will have to be made, the future of the academy is safe.

And here I have to admit a personal interest. One of my five grandchildren is a member of the Hibs academy and he loves it.

Because of the family link I have seen the academy in operation and I like what I see.

Former Hibs striker, Gareth Evans, runs the show and seems to be doing an excellent job.

It is good news for all Hibs fans that the future of their academy seems assured.

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