Next Generation
A centrepiece of the Trust’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Next Generation project was designed to give Trust members a direct way to back homegrown elite talent by investing in their development.
Then Killie manager Derek McInnes said: “The Next Generation project would play an important role in accelerating our vision for the academy.
“There are so many aspects of modern player development that can benefit from this type of investment; from coaching to sports science and analysis, we strive to give young players every tool required to reach their potential at the club.”
McInnes urged Trust members to back the new initiative, ensuring that they have a direct bond with a new wave of Killie heroes. He said: “I fully support any project that will enhance our youth pathway while strengthening the connection between supporters and the team.”
Killie midfielder David Watson, who has already made the step up from youth ranks to first team, is also keen to see the project flourish. He said: “I feel extremely fortunate to have benefitted from the opportunities presented by the youth academy, so I fully endorse a project that will help to open doors for other young players at the club.
“Kilmarnock FC is well known for its youth pathway and I’ve no doubt that a strengthening academy setup will allow so many others to join the same incredible journey I have experienced so far.”
The Killie Trust board is delighted to present this exciting proposal for investment in Kilmarnock FC through the Next Generation project. Following the recent members’ survey – which placed youth development high on the list of fan priorities – the Trust board has worked with the football club to develop the project, which will target investment to support younger players making the transition from academy and development squads to be ready for first-team action.
Trust club director Cathy Jamieson said: “We’re delighted to play a part in inspiring the next generation.
“This fits with the Trust’s long-term support for youth development and was one of the key priorities set out by our members. It is also very timely, with a number of young players not only progressing from academy to first team, but also being included in Scotland youth squads.
“This proposal has been welcomed by the club directors and management team, as it gives the best possible opportunities to grow our own talent and help support the transition to first team football.”
The Next Generation project is intended to mark the 20th anniversary of the Trust with an initial investment of £20,000, which will be followed by monthly instalments of 70% of money donated by Trust members.
The club will be able to use the funding to benefit young players and be used to support young player coaching, wellbeing, and sports science as well as equipment, software, and to support accommodation and travel if required, unlocking a package of support and new opportunities.
The Trust is also using this major new project to launch a rebrand of the long running ‘Trust in Killie’ fund, which will now be known as the Killie Futures Fund.
Cathy Jamieson said: “We’re delighted to use this vital project, which will have a direct impact on our team, to launch the Killie Futures Fund.
“Trust in Killie has been a long-running way for fans to contribute to a wide range of projects, but the Trust board feel there is no better time to refresh our fundraising campaign, to make it really clear to all fans that this is a positive, forward-looking fund and a direct way of making a shared investment in a bright future for the club we all care about so much.”
The Next Generation investment will initially run for one year and will be reviewed by all parties involved. The remaining 30% of monthly funding received will be utilised for other projects, all of which will now come under the Killie Futures Fund banner.