From this coming season Falkirk FC’s new Development Squad Kit will be emblazoned with the logo of The Falkirk Foundation as the two organisations work more closely together under the ethos of ‘One Community, One Future.”
The new Falkirk Development programme kicked off yesterday with a fixture against Dundee and was the first outing for one of the Bairns’ two development squads. An initial twenty players are registered as part of the programme with more to come.
A closer working relationship between The Foundation and Falkirk’s development programme will establish a clear pathway from Baby Bairns all the way to the Falkirk first-team squad, with coaching experience, contacts and scouting networks being shared between the two organisations to ensure that the best young talent in Forth Valley (both male and female) makes its way to Falkirk.
Falkirk FC Sporting Director Gary Holt said:
“We very much welcome this new partnership with the Falkirk Foundation. Our development programme remains in its infancy but already we’ve had some success with the fast-tracking of Ben Weekes, Cammy Williamson and Mackenzie Lemon into the first team set up. However there is much work to be done and we look forward to our first fixture against Dundee on Sunday.
“We also want to make sure that we have a strong network across Forth Valley and with the help of The Foundation we can show a clear pathway for youngsters all the way from Baby Bairns into wearing the Navy Blue of the Falkirk first-team. The Club’s infrastructure in terms of coaching and scouting can also be of benefit to The Foundation to encourage more participants into their programme. There is also real alignment with between the Club and The Foundation to also develop the mental and physical health and wellbeing of everyone involved in our programmes. This really is a win-win situation.”
Falkirk Foundation Chief Executive Derek Allison said:
“We are grateful to Falkirk FC for putting our logo on their new development kits and excited what this new partnership will bring to both the Club and The Foundation.”
“Children coming into our programmes know they will have access to fantastic facilities and a clear pathway to senior football both on the men’s and women’s side of the game – this will clearly help us attract some of the best talent across Forth Valley, which has in the past gone to other clubs.
“We have an excellent structure in place which has been recognised by the SFA as platinum accredited. All of our coaches are SFA qualified and the expertise that both Gary Holt and Ian Fergus bring to the table at the elite level means there is an exciting future ahead for youth development at Falkirk.
“It is also important that we look after the mental wellbeing of our players and everyone engaging with the Foundation and we will soon be announcing our new Mental Health Charter as well as new initiatives focusing on Mental Wellbeing.”
