Hibernian F.C. Under-20s and Academy
 |
|
| Ground |
Hibernian Training Centre East Lothian |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Rod Petrie |
| Head Coach | Grant Murray |
| League | SPFL Development League |
In addition to their first team competing in the Scottish Championship, Hibernian F.C. also maintain an Under-20 side competing in the SPFL Development League and the Scottish Youth Cup, as well as further teams for younger age groups within the club's academy. Previously a reserve team was also fielded for many years until the abandonment of the most recent league for those teams in 2009.
Prior to the introduction of the Scottish Premier League in 1998, the Under-20s previously competed in the youth league administered by the Scottish Football League. From 2015 onwards it is possible for the Hibs academy to participate in the UEFA Youth League by the Under-17 side winning the previous season's league at that age group; however this has not yet been achieved.
For the 2016-17 edition of the Scottish Challenge Cup, Under-20 teams were granted entry to compete against adult teams for the first time in the modern era. But this applied only to the teams whose parent clubs were in the Premiership - as Hibs were in the second tier that season, it was their senior team who entered the competition with the youngsters having to wait for the opportunity to test themselves against semi-professional opposition.
Hibs' main area of recruitment is the Lothian and Borders region around Edinburgh which has a population of around one million. They face a constant battle with rivals Heart of Midlothian to sign the most promising youngsters in the area. In the past both Hibs and Hearts have signed many players from youth club Hutchison Vale.
...
Wikipedia