Academy achieves “Elite” status

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https://rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/gers-academy-achieves-elite-status/

 

RANGERS are delighted to confirm today that our Academy has achieved ‘Elite’ status in the Scottish FA’s new Academy structure under their flagship initiative ‘Project Brave’.

 

Project Brave is designed to improve the standard of Scottish footballer resulting in greater success for our club sides and national teams.

 

Rangers are one of only eight clubs to be awarded ‘Elite’ status and Head of Academy, Craig Mulholland commented: “We are delighted to have achieved ‘Elite’ status following a rigorous audit by the SFA who examined areas such as strategy and vision, coaching, recruitment, sports science, medicine, analysis, education and welfare and our support functions.

 

“Through participation on the working group, Rangers have assisted in shaping Project Brave and we believe that radical change was required to raise the standards in Scottish Football. We are delighted to be playing our part in designing this positive new vision.

 

“People are unclear on what Project Brave actually is but we believe the changes that will provide the most benefit are: More clearly defined focus on ensuring the Scottish FA and clubs spend the finite resource available on developing the country’s best prospects .

 

“More ‘best v best’ opportunities for the top young Scottish players with improved competition on a weekly basis. The move to summer football for the under-11’s to under-16’s allowing our players to play on better pitches and in a better climate.

 

“The addition of an extra age group at under-16 resulting in a pathway with teams at all age groups from under-11 to under-16 and the introduction of a dual age band at under-18 allowing decisions to be taken on players at a more appropriate stage in their maturation.

 

“The introduction of alternate game days for 11’s and 12’s, 13s and 14’s, allowing talented players to play up an age group and be challenged more easily.

 

“Increased criteria for clubs to meet, driving up the standards of Academy provision in Scotland in line with countries such as England, Germany, France, Belgium, etc.

 

“The possibility to examine ‘colt’ teams at the top end of the pathway to manage the transition from Academy to first team. We welcome these initiatives which will complement our own Academy strategy and ambition.”

 

The changes from Project Brave will commence in January 2018.