Craig is satisfied with new elite level
CRAIG Mulholland, head of the Rangers academy, is pleased that the club were awarded ‘elite’ status in the Scottish Football Association’s new academy structure.
The Ibrox club were one of eight teams to be awarded the banding under the SFA’s new flagship initiative, Project Brave.
“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-11s to under-16s 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.”