Developing Scotland's most talented young players together.
The Elite v Elite Future Player Development Programme is a selection-based programme for high-potential young players aged 4 to 8. One training session. Two fun-filled game days. A bespoke games programme designed to develop the complete future player.
THE PROBLEM
The current system is not preparing young players for what comes next.
Right now, the first experience of organised football for most young players in Scotland is Fun Fours. Four-a-side on wide pitches with a single goal at each end.
The strongest player dominates. Scores six or seven goals a game. Never has to think. Never has to combine. Never has to find space. Everyone else barely touches the ball.
When these players move into seven-a-side football with a goalkeeper, positions, and a real pitch, they are not ready. No positional awareness. No understanding of space. No experience of the decisions the game actually demands.
Fun Fours
Four-a-side, one goal at each end. The strongest player dominates the ball and drives at goal. Everyone else stands off and barely touches it.
THE SOLUTION
The programme that
gets them ready.
E.v.E. is a games-led development programme built specifically for high-potential young players.
Everything is designed around one outcome: making sure
your child is properly prepared for seven-a-side football. Not just technically.
Tactically. Positionally. Mentally.
Train once, play twice
One structured coaching session per week. Two fun-filled, competitive game days: Friday evening and Sunday morning. The opposite of the current system, because game time is where development happens.
A bespoke in-house games programme
Multi-target. Multi-ball. Structured competitive cycles with league tables. Your child plays against players at a similar level every week in game formats designed to stretch them, not let them coast.
A clear development pathway
3v3 at age 4/5. 4v4 at age 6. 5v5 at age 7. 6v6 at age 8. Every stage builds on the last. Each format grows with the players, developing their ability to read the game and make decisions in progressively bigger environments.
THE GAMES PROGRAMME
Competitive. Controlled. Creative.
The games programme is the core of E.v.E. It is what makes this different from anything else available.
The game formats use multiple targets and multiple balls. Games are conditioned to challenge and allow the players to discover solutions. From this they will learn to find space, combine with teammates, make effective decisions, and solve problems that a single-goal setup never asks of them. Game days are designed to be exciting, fast-paced, and fun while building the habits that matter.
Game days run in cycles that the E.v.E. coaches will consistently review and develop to best serve the young players in the programme. There will be real competition delivered in a controlled, developmental and fun way.
We believe a primary tool in the development of young players is playing with and against other good young players. Best v best. That is what builds the habits they will need to excel.
Stretch the best. Develop the rest.
Multi-target, multi-ball
A single multi-target format. Players attack and defend in more than one direction at once.
THE TRIANGLE OF DEVELOPMENT
Developing the complete future player.
Every future player in the E.v.E. programme is developed across three pillars. Not just one. Not just technique. The complete picture.
Environment
The coaching culture, the game formats, the relationships between coaches, players, and parents. Future players need to feel safe, loved, and connected. When they do, their brains open up to creativity, decision-making, and freedom. Everything starts with the right environment.
Football IQ
Game intelligence, decision-making, reading the game, understanding space. Built through the games programme, not through drills. Future players learn to be smart on the pitch by solving real game problems every single week.
Athleticism
Physical and intelligent movement. Speed, coordination, balance, and the ability to use their body effectively. Not just being quick, but knowing when and how to be quick. Physically and intelligently athletic.
WHAT WE DEVELOP
The characteristics of a future player.
Football ability is only part of it. Every future player in the E.v.E. programme develops these characteristics on and off the pitch.
Resilient
Bounces back, handles setbacks, keeps going.
Energetic
Brings intensity and effort every session.
Social
Communicates, connects, works with teammates.
Prepared
Ready to learn, ready to compete, ready to be coached.
Enthusiastic
Loves the game, wants to be there, brings energy.
Courageous
Takes risks, tries new things, plays without fear.
Tenacious
Never gives up, fights for every ball, keeps working.
THE JOURNEY
A development pathway that grows with your child.
Each stage builds on the last. Pitch size, team size, and tactical complexity grow as the players develop. By the time they move on from the programme, they have spent years making decisions under pressure, developing habits, and building the confidence to thrive.
THE COACHES
Led by two of Scotland's most experienced youth development educators.
Darren Murray holds a UEFA Pro Licence and UEFA Youth A. Over 25 years developing young players across professional and grassroots football. Former professional coach at Heart of Midlothian and Coventry City.
Craig Dinwoodie holds an Advanced Children's Licence and a BSc in Developing Athletes. 15 years developing young players, including seven and a half years in Heart of Midlothian's Academy.
Both chose to work with the youngest players because that is where the impact is.
TESTIMONIALS
What the professionals say.
Lee Wallace
Former Heart of Midlothian and Rangers professional football player & current transition coach at Hearts and Scotland U-19s Coach
John McGlynn
Manager of the Scottish Premiership club Falkirk
Christoph Berra
Former Heart of Midlothian, Wolverhampton Wanderers, & Ipswich Town professional football player
Harry Willox
Midfielder at Heart of Midlothian B
I have had Craig as my coach through multiple age groups during my academy journey at Heart of Midlothian FC and he had okayed a significant part in my development.
Craig is an excellent coach, his training sessions were always really well planned and the objective of each session really well defined.
He also allowed myself and other players to be creative make our own decisions and express ourselves.
One of Craig's biggest strengths is he is a great communicator, always helpful snd open to questions and offering great advice.
I have no doubt that Craig, working alongside Darren who I also know well, will make EVE a great success which will be an excellent programme where young players will thrive
Scott McMeekin
Dad of Manchester City U-18s and former Heart of Midlothian Academy player Kier McMeekin