The club is known for its cantera policy of bringing young Basque players through the ranks, as well as recruiting players from other Basque clubs. Athletic's official policy is to sign players native to or trained in football in the greater Basque Country, which includes Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Álava and Navarre (in Spain), as well as Labourd, Soule and Lower Navarre (in France). Since 1911, Athletic has played exclusively with players meeting its own criteria to be deemed Basque. It has gained Athletic both admirers and critics. The club has been praised for promoting home grown players and club loyalty. The rule does not apply to coaching staff, with several examples of non-Basques both from Spain and abroad having coached the first team.
the club is known for its cantera policy of bringing young basque players through the ranks as well as recruiting players from other basque clubs athletic's official policy is to sign players native to or trained in football in the greater basque country which includes biscay gipuzkoa álava and navarre (in spain) as well as labourd soule and lower navarre (in france) since 1911 athletic has played exclusively with players meeting its own criteria to be deemed basque it has gained athletic both admirers and critics the club has been praised for promoting home grown players and club loyalty the rule does not apply to coaching staff with several examples of non-basques both from spain and abroad having coached the first team