The Hibs Academy has gone from strength to strength both on and off the pitch in recent months. Gareth Evans’ Wee Hibees are currently unbeaten all season and are safely through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Youth Cup after beating Celtic in the previous round at HTC.
But the results on the pitch are only one small part of the success within the Academy system. In terms of recruitment, the Academy is expanding readily with new player arrivals like Joao Balde, Runar Hauge, Allan Delferrière and Tom Carter all joining in January.
Adding to that, there are several young players progressing well through the age groups – with promising youngster Jack Brydon, Mack Weir, Josh McCulloch and Jacob McIntyre all signing professional contract extensions this year.
The man at the helm, Steve Kean, joined The Hibees in November 2021 as Academy Director. Kean is full of praise for the way the Academy has developed over the years, and has continued to progress since he joined the club.
“Our recruitment over the last few months has been great, we have a big department there now. We are trying to make sure recruitment and coaching come together.
“As two separate departments, I have seen it at other clubs they can sometimes push against each other a wee bit. But here it is very clear that we are all working for the same thing.”
Along with the new players, the are new coaches in the building at HTC too – with former Hibs player and fans favourite, Guillaume Beuzelin, returning to the club as Head of Intermediate Academy.
‘Boozy’ played at Hibs for four seasons from 2004-2008. He made 118 appearances for The Hibees, scoring ten goals and was part of the team that lifted the Scottish League Cup in 2007. Speaking on the new appointment, Kean was delighted to bring Beuzelin back to Hibs.
“We’ve been backed by Ben (Kensell) and the Chairman to expand our coaching team. We have brought back Guillaume Beuzelin from Hamilton Academical where he was previously coaching.
"I had him as a player when we were both at Coventry, so I know exactly what he is like. He brings a different outlook, he was a very technical player and now, he is a really good coach.”
Beuzelin will take charge of the U13/U14s, with James McDonaugh looking after the U15/16s (Head of Professional Academy) and Gareth Evans leading the U18s.
Kean himself, will look after the new Development Team from next season, a brand new team that aims to bridge the gap between the Academy and the First Team squad, by playing more fixtures against English U23 opposition.
With the whole system taking shape, Kean is confident the club can continue to produce more top-quality players through the system and into the First Team.
“The academy system is probably as good as I have seen. The sports science, medical and nutritional side of thing is great. By bringing in extra quality coaches, we can really start to do more individual coaching and in turn improve the unit, the team and the club as whole.
“We have added other physios, sports scientist, operational staff and player care too. Player care has been a big thing for us – adding people in to support the young players.
“We have the lads properly in full time now with a packed schedule. Each day the lads get through two training sessions, do a bit of education and some analysis work. We have brought in new analysts so the academy lads can sit and watch back their performances.
“I have been fortunate enough to work in a lot of good academies in England. Academies are not about a building - it is about what you do inside the building.
“We have had a lot of good things in place in the past, all we are trying to do is keep improving and progressing and helping the young players develop.”
