10/05/2026
Activation with &
Working alongside the club to support with activation pieces for their portfolio of partnerships, we are always always thinking of ways to help deliver high value creative content pieces, that deliver value for their partners.
This time round we put forward the idea of inviting some of of the clubs academy players along to work on a site with Dale & the team at OGS.
I was completely aware of the number of young players that are taken into academies hoping to be signed, yet often finding themselves in situations where it hasn’t quite worked out for various different reasons and then having no plan b, so felt this would be a great way to give the lads an insight into another trade and to highlight the statistics.
Key Stats on Scottish Academy Progression (2025-2026)
Total Youth Players: Approximately 150,000 participate in organised football across Scotland.
Elite Academy Intake: Only about 3,000 players (2%) make it into elite youth academy programmes.
Professional Contract Success: Roughly 300 players (0.2%) eventually sign professional contracts.
SFA Performance Schools: A study of SFA performance schools showed that 56% (338 players) achieved a professional contract, though this represents a highly selected group.
Long-Term Career: Fewer than 100 players (0.07%) establish long-term professional careers.
Dropout Rate: As many as 95% of academy teenagers do not “make it” to professional football.
A special mention goes to Jonny Stewart & Jamie Archibald at PPE Industrial Supplies Ltd for helping me source 19 pairs of steel toe cap boots and various other PPE for the lads on site.
Also to AAA coaches for supplying the travel to the site for the lads.
