Developing Players, Creating Opportunities
Youth development has become an increasingly important part of what we are building at Inverness Athletic.
Our aim has never simply been to develop players who will eventually represent our own first team. Of course, we want as many as possible to make that journey, but we also recognise that every player will follow a different path.
For us, success is seeing young players develop, remain in the game and go on to play adult football at the highest level they can.
The pathway into our first team
There is always something special about seeing a player progress through the youth setup and eventually represent the Inverness Athletic first team.
Kieran Goddard was the first player from our youth system to make that step. Years later, he remains involved in first-team matchday squads and continues to represent the club at senior level.
His progression was an important moment for a youth setup that was still very much in its infancy, and others have since followed.
This season, Fraser Coyne and Ashton Addison have both made the step from the youth section into the senior level of the club, continuing a pathway we want to strengthen in the years ahead.
Another player who deserves particular mention is Matthew Black. Matthew has represented Athletic at Under 16, Under 18 and first-team level and, as far as we are aware, is the only player to have represented the club at all three of those levels.
Those journeys are exactly why having a youth structure matters. It gives young players somewhere to develop and, when they are ready, an opportunity to experience senior football.
Success isn't only measured in Athletic shirts
Just as importantly, we are proud to see former Athletic youth players continuing their development elsewhere.
Players who have spent time within our youth system are now playing senior football with clubs including Thistle, Bonar Bridge, St Duthus, Clachnacuddin and Dingwall.
One of the shining examples from what is still a relatively young youth setup is Blair Bigham, who has progressed to play Highland League football with Invergordon.
Seeing players establish themselves at other clubs is not something we view as losing a player. Quite the opposite.
Youth development should always be about the individual. If a player's pathway takes them elsewhere and they go on to play regularly or progress to a higher level, everyone who has contributed to their development can take some pride from that.
Playing our part
We are realistic about where Inverness Athletic sits within the football landscape in the Highlands.
There are established Highland League clubs around us with long histories of developing young footballers and much larger youth structures. We are not trying to compare ourselves with them.
Our part may be relatively small, but it is one we are extremely proud of.
We can provide another opportunity for young players in the area to play competitive football, work with committed coaches and prepare themselves for the demands of the adult game.
Some will progress into our own first team. Some will establish themselves elsewhere in the North Caledonian Football League. Others may have the opportunity to progress beyond that level.
Whichever route they take, if Inverness Athletic has helped them become a better player and prepared them for their next opportunity, then we have achieved something worthwhile.
Credit to our coaches
None of it happens without the coaches who have given their time to our youth teams over the years.
Some have spent several years with Athletic and others have been with us for shorter periods, but every one of them has played a part in helping the youth section slowly grow into what it is today.
Their time, patience and commitment have given young players the opportunity to train, compete, improve and, most importantly, continue playing football.
There is still a long way to go and plenty we want to improve. But as Inverness Athletic continues to grow, so too will our commitment to youth football and creating a genuine pathway into the adult game.
We will keep developing players, keep creating opportunities and keep giving youth a chance.
