Fife Elite Academy Dinner 16th March 2018

The 1885 Business Club is supporting the Academy Dinner on the 16th March in the Glen Pavilion, Val McDermid and Donald Findlay have agreed to speak at the event. The Dinner will be chaired by the matchday voice of Raith Rovers, Gordon Adamson and is sure to be a great night.

Cost is £40 per ticket (tables of 10).

The Academy is a real success story for Fife having been formed just over 3 years ago with the amalgamation of the Youth Academies of the four Fife Senior Clubs – Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife and Raith Rovers.

Yes – four highly competitive entities working together! We continue to develop the Academy and are currently speaking with the likes of Fife Council and Fife College as well as the Scottish Football Association with a view to offering a total pathway covering both football and education for Academy members from age 10 until 18.

Despite its recent formation the success of the Academy is perhaps best measured by the success of its graduates. For the 2016/17 season the Academy was measured as being the 6th most successful Academy in Scotland.

Not unexpectedly behind the likes of Rangers, Celtic and Hearts but ahead of Premier League Clubs such as Dundee, Partick Thistle and Hibs. This measurement is based on players progressing to and playing for Club first teams as well as International recognition.

The Academy is partly financed by a grant from the SFA with any shortfall being met by the four participating Clubs. The “share” of this financing is currently under discussion by the Clubs but it is likely that Dunfermline will be covering up to 50% of the shortfall.

The Academy also attempts to raise funds with over £14,000 being raised in 2017. This is offset against the shortfall thus reducing each Clubs contribution. As such for every £1 the Academy can raise Dunfermline effectively save up to 50p.