Caledonian Braves announce new Player performance pathway

Caledonian Braves are partnering with the Johan Cruyff Institute in forming their new ' Player Performance Pathway' which will allow 16 to 20-year-olds to gain industry recognised qualifications whilst working through the ranks of Scottish football.

It aims to tackle the attendance drop off seen in grassroots clubs as youngsters reach adulthood, struggling to choose between career pathways.

Edusport academy have a history of working with the institute (Image: Alastair Ross)

Adam Cairnie, Head of Football Development & Pathway at Caledonian Braves, said: “Our ambition is to create an environment where talented young players can maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.

"We recognise that every player’s journey is different, and this programme has been designed to provide the daily coaching, competitive opportunities and educational support needed to help them continue progressing.

"We believe we have created something that allows young players to aspire towards a full-time career in the game while gaining qualifications that will last far beyond their playing careers.”

The Institute was founded in Barcelona in 1999, three years after its namesake left his role as manager of the eponymous club.

Since then, campuses have formed in Cruyff's hometown of Amsterdam as well as Mexico City and Lima, offering degrees in a range of sporting areas including marketing, management and business.

The Braves have similarly been seen across the planet, thanks to both their European campaign winning the Fenix Trophy and their global ownership model.

The club has found success in Europe (Image: Caledonian Braves)

Their new program harkens back to the club's beginnings as Edusport Academy which brought young players over from France to experience education and coaching in tandem.

Now, the club seeks to give the same experience back to the kids of Scotland ahead of their continued push up the footballing pyramid.

If you are interested in applying for the player performance pathway, you can apply here.