It?s been tough for the academy throughout the second half of the season, with the U18s and U21s teams both experiencing difficulties. With a rebuild needed on the pitch, one will also now be required behind the scenes after the head of academy development, Steve Weaver, announced he was leaving the club at the end of this season. 

Weaver has been in the position for seven seasons and has played an integral part in developing a significant number of players who have made it through into City’s first team. In total, 24 players have made that transition, including Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Jonathan Rowe, and Adam Idah.

Weaver deserves immense credit in that regard, especially as a couple of those seasons were in the Premier League where it is even harder for academy players to come through and play at the elite level. 
Weaver arrived in Norwich at a similar time to Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke, and all three were fully focused on youth development. Farke’s first season was a disappointing one on the pitch – they finished 14th – but Todd Cantwell and Jamal Lewis were both given a taste of first-team exposure, with Max Aarons emerging the following season. 

The ethos that Weaver tried to integrate across the academy was one of opportunity. Across all the academy sides, under Weaver’s watch players were given opportunities to play – making that the primary focus, instead of winning.  

It?s no secret that this ratio...