ATHLETIC will kick-off its new youth academy programme in the New Year after they were given the green light by the SFA.

Having announced that they will take over the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) Grounds in Rosyth to create a new training base, the club have also revealed that their new youth development initiative will begin in January.

Approval for the Pars' academy to participate in the SFA Club Academy Scotland (CAS) programme for 2022 was given at the recent SFA Licencing Committee meeting, with bids from clubs seeking to take part being made for one year.

That is because the initiative is set to be revamped by the SFA in the coming weeks for 2023 to 2025, but the Pars say they are "fully committed to participation in the programme beyond 2022".

Subject to a rigorous audit by SFA staff, Dunfermline's application to participate in the Performance Tier met all criteria, and theirs is one of 10 from clubs in both the Premiership and the Championship that will be involved.

Categories that were audited included coaching staff qualifications; training facilities; match day facilities; talent identification; tactical and technical plans; a player education programme; child wellbeing and protection; academy development planning; sports science provision; medical support; and match analysis.

Although the criteria have been met for these categories without access to the club's new training base - which is earmarked to be operational by June - they are excited as to how it will enhance the programme for their academy players and coaching staff.

Ross McArthur, Pars chairman, said: "As DAFC moves away from the Fife Elite Football Academy to set up its own Academy, it is important that the club recognises the role FEFA played over the last 7 years in allowing Dunfermline Athletic to have the opportunity to continue to develop young footballers. The fruits of that can be seen in the presence of Matty Todd, Lewis McCann, Paul Allan and Millar Fenton in the current first team squad.

"The coaches at FEFA who helped develop those players have committed to being part of the new Dunfermline Athletic Academy, which is terrific. I would like to pay tribute to both Bill Hendry and Matt Lawson who have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to ensure our application to the SFA was dealt with professionally and diligently.

"In addition, they have also ensured that all of the players, parents and coaches have been kept up to date.

"Finally, I would also like to personally thank fellow director, Kip McBay who has been our club representative on the FEFA Board for the last few years, and has also worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

"Bringing back our own Youth Academy is another significant milestone in rebuilding our club for the future, and provides a joined up pathway for young footballers from the Pars Foundation, to the Academy and then ultimately the first team."

The SFA Club Academy Scotland programme runs by calendar year, which means coaching activities will begin early in January, ahead of the games programme starting the following month.

Dunfermline's academy will run seven teams, which are at under-11; under-12; under-13; under-14; under-15; under-16; and a dual under-17/18 side.

The latter will play matches on a Friday night, with the under-11s, under-13s and under-15s playing on a Saturday, and the under-12s, under-14s and under-16s on a Sunday.

Until the Rosyth training ground opens, home matches will be played at South Queensferry High School (under-17/18) and the Michael Woods Sports Centre in Glenrothes.