THE Fife Elite Academy's placing within the new Project Brave youth football structure has been confirmed by the Scottish Football Association.

The announcement comes after FEFA's head coach, Bill Hendry, told our sister title the Dunfermline Press that they had been assessed at the 'performance tier' – for which they are fully compliant – and that they were committed to Project Brave for the next three years.

The project is designed to improve the overall standard of young Scottish footballers and, in turn, enhance the domestic game and boost the national side.

Cowdenbeath based player Callum Smith, who plays for Dunfermline Athletic, is part of the Fife Elite production line.

Applicant clubs were graded according to a criteria-based system and an assessment of Measurable Performance Outcomes (MPOs), with the aim of bringing greater focus to talent development and optimise playing opportunities.

The governing body say that enhanced funding for achieving MPOs will "encourage best practice, with the objective of Project Brave to harness the success of the strategic plan and ensure a more efficient pathway to first-team football".

Those not selected for the 'elite' tier like FEFA – the criteria for which Hendry said was "way beyond Fife and other clubs" – will still have access to a level of funding from the SFA to support the running and improvement of their academies.

Malky Mackay, the SFA's performance director, said: "This is a significant milestone for Project Brave.

"Club Academy Scotland is a fundamental part of the process and a lot of work has gone into developing the criteria used to assess the clubs.

"From day one this has been a collaborative activity.

"The clubs have been engaged at every step, with daily dialogue to help with their applications.

"We have been heartened and inspired by so many of the positive things we have seen in regards to the development of young Scottish footballers and our aim is to assist clubs and encourage them to hit the highest possible standards.

“What I would like to stress is that the bandings are not fixed and they will be reassessed in June 2018.

"No door is closed to clubs outside of the Elite bracket with aspirations to move up.

"As a result of the conversations we had with clubs, a new middle tier was created.

"The ‘Progressive’ category was designed to ensure ‘smaller’ but ambitious clubs with academies could find their natural place in the system, with scope to push on.

"For those in the top tier, we will continue to monitor their work in conjunction with our independent auditors.

"This is only one more step but we believe it’s a crucial one."

Dundee, Greenock Morton and Queen's Park have been placed alongside FEFA in the performance tier, while those in the elite tier are Aberdeen, Celtic, Hamilton, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Rangers.

Ayr United, Dundee United, the Forth Valley Academy, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle, Ross County, St Mirren and St Johnstone have been assessed at the middle 'progressive' level.