10th June 2001
Hibernian in the Community
A serious look at a serious game, and a serious proposal
by Sam Spence

Introduction

In 2001 the assumption that Hibs supporters are automatically born into the 'Hibernian family' is no longer valid or sustainable. All football clubs will now have to actively market themselves as a viable and enjoyable alternative to the myriad of other leisure activities available to today's young supporters while at the same time maintaining strong and developing links to the community to which the club owes its existence.

With the imminent opening of the new ultra modern West stand this autumn. Hibernian Football Club are being presented with an outstanding opportunity to utilise this new facility as a fulcrum around which to develop a 'Hibernian in the Community 'initiative.

Aims and Objectives

'Hibernian in the Community' would be a non profit making community-based initiative which would use the power and appeal of football to provide grass routes football coaching, education, and training while playing an active involvement in local school and community projects. In return this would generate a loyalty to the brand name of Hibernian Football Club and would recognise the central importance that a football club has within its surrounding community.

There would be three areas where I would like the 'Hibernian in the Community 'initiative to concentrate upon:

A Hibernian Saturday

This Saturday coaching class would involve a complete day of SPL football both as a participant and as a spectator. For a set fee participants would enjoy a morning of football coaching and a family ticket to the afternoons SPL match.

The view is changing all the time (sns)

Qualified SFA coaches would be available for boys (and girls) aged 5-14 for a morning of football coaching either for fun or as part of a recognised Boys club initiative. These classes would be held at the stadium or more likely one of the indoor football venues that have recently opened in the Lothian's area.

Thereafter each participant and accompanying adult would be entitled to 2 tickets to enjoy the Saturday afternoon (or evening) SPL match.

Learning with Hibernian

Using the new facilities in the West Stand and open to all Edinburgh and surrounding area primary and secondary schools the Easter Road stadium itself would be used as a resource centre for use by the wider community.

This would involve a day's visit to the stadium, which would be planned by the Hibernian Community manager in consultation with participating teachers. This fun and educational day out would access both the stadium facilities and corporate function suites to incorporate:

(a)    A stadium tour (including lunch)

(b)   A penalty shoot out competition.

(c)    Meeting, autographs and photos with one of the players

(d)   An afternoon of educational projects and study of topics such as:

(i)               The unique history of Hibernian football club as part of the Edinburgh community.

(ii)              Geography projects involving 'The football clubs of Europe'

(iii)            Other topics such as 'Careers in and (outwith) Football'. 

A Hibernian Partnership

Finally I would like the 'Hibernian in the Community' project to become actively involved with the Lothian Health Board and the Scottish Executive in a partnership on health and social issues.

The three parties would join together to promote any health related issues such as diet, exercise and fitness and to address the problem of drugs in society using the Hibernian brand name as a focus for attention and identity.

Furthermore issues such as racism and sectarianism are social problems for which all members of society share a responsibility to help eradicate both deliberate and unwitting forms of discrimination. In conjunction with the Scottish Executive and other SPL clubs, 'Hibernian in the Community' would take active steps to support all campaigns that were in existence to eradicate such unacceptable behaviour through education and information and use of the club facilities if appropriate.

Conclusion

The 'Hibernian in the Community' initiative would be a separate non-profit making arm of Hibernian FC with a coaching, education and social remit and would utilise the remarkable improvement in the facilities of Easter Road Stadium.

It is important that the club custodians utilise such facilities to there maximum potential and recognise that football is inextricably inter linked with the community at large on which the survival, development and expansion of the football club is based.

The benefits to the football club would come from the loyalty generated to the brand name of Hibernian FC and the recognition amongst the wider community that Hibernian Football club has an important role to play far beyond merely Saturday's entertainment.