The new manager of Hibernian FC, Mixu Paatelainen, has launched an eight-week pilot community football drop-in programme at Meadowbank Sports Centre in central Edinburgh.

The scheme is a joint initiative between the football club and sports trust Edinburgh Leisure and will allow young people aged over 12 to play structured football matches on the artificial pitches at Meadowbank every Friday evening.

Hibernian will provide the coaching staff and equipment while Edinburgh Leisure will provide the venue, set-up and administration.

Edinburgh Leisure will also offer those young people with an interest in coaching with the opportunity to get involved in the ‘Youth Coaching Edinburgh’ scheme, through which they can gain coaching qualifications and work experience.

Edinburgh Leisure’s youth volunteer worker, Stewart Roy, said: “Young people were clearly enjoying the chance to play regular football but the message was coming across loud and clear was that they would prefer to have more structure to their games.

“Our partnership with Hibs will allow us to bring not only the structure they crave but also first class coaching – something that we hope will rub off on the kids and persuade them to get involved themselves.”

Paatelainen added: “This is another important stepping stone for the club and a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters in the area.
“Aside from promoting a sense of community and healthy living, this partnership will also inspire a new generation to reap the benefits of good team spirit.”