WITH three youngsters graduating to the first team squad and former star pupil Lee Evans earning his first senior Wales call-up the season could hardly have started on a brighter note for the new regime in the Newport County AFC academy, writes Andrew Penman.

Since the departure of long-serving academy director Glyn Jones at the end of last season the Exiles youth set-up has been revamped by head of operations and recruitment Kevin Waterhouse, development coach Mike Flynn and academy coach Danny Elliott.

As part of the Elite Player Performance Plan youth development scheme the club is in the process of securing category four status and hopes to progress to category three and beyond.

And the new professional approach is already bearing fruit with Regan Poole, Aaron Collins and Tom Owen-Evans all establishing themselves in manager Justin Edinburgh’s League Two squad over the past few months.

Poole has already had trials with Manchester United and Fulham over the past six weeks and since making his Exiles debut at Shrewsbury Town last month he has attracted interest from a host of other big clubs.

And the news last week that former academy product Evans, who moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2013, had earned a call-up to Chris Coleman’s Wales squad was another big feather in the cap.

Evans has now been forced to withdraw from this week’s Euro 2016 qualifiers as he recovers from a hamstring injury but his success is further proof that County are now a force to be reckoned with in terms of producing home-grown talent.

“Gone are the days when we lost all the best young players to the likes of Cardiff City and Bristol Rovers,” says Waterhouse.

“We have one boy coming to us who has turned down Manchester United and Hull City to join us.

“Young footballers want to come to Newport now because they see that we have the facilities and the professional set-up in place and they know that they will get a chance here.

“The fact that Regan, Aaron and Tom have made the breakthrough shows that this is a club where you can progress.”

The academy and first team squads both now use the state-of-the-art training facilities at Llanwern High.

The 18 scholars, funded by the Football League, and those on the college programme, funded by the school, train next to Edinburgh’s squad.

And, as well as Flynn, the likes of Byron Anthony, Lee Minshull, Danny Crow and Max Porter all help out with coaching the youngsters.

“Byron, Lee, Danny and Max have all got involved and helped out with coaching various age groups,” explains Flynn.

“I think that’s brilliant for the kids to have first team players taking time out to coach them because there’s nobody better to learn from than people who are out there doing what you want to do.”

Elliott, who started off as a player in the academy before moving into coaching, says there is now a feeling of togetherness that was not always present.

“I’ve been at the club since I was 16 – 11 years now – so I’ve seen a massive amount of changes over the years,” he explains.

“Since last year it’s come on leaps and bounds. The first team and youth team are much closer now being on the same site.

“The gaffer and his assistants have all taken sessions with us and Flynny is obviously involved with the first team so it’s not them and us – we’re one club.”

First team defender Anthony got involved during his recovery from a broken leg and he is quick to pay tribute to the work done by Waterhouse, Flynn and Elliott.

“I’ve been asked by Flynny to help out as much as I can and I’ve always loved coaching,” he says.

“I take the under-16s three times a week and during my injury and my rehab I’ve helped out with the under-18s as well.

“I’ve absolutely loved it seeing the boys progress and having the three boys in the first team squad in such a short space of time emphasizes how much hard work has been put in from the start of the season from Flynny, from Danny, Kevin and all the youth staff.

“And with the gaffer giving the youngsters a chance in the first team it is a great carrot for all of them seeing their mates get that chance.

“It’s hard being a scholar – I’ve been there and done it – but if you can get through those years the hard work is worth it.”

Minshull’s interest started as he began studying for his coaching badges this summer and he is relishing his work with the club’s under-14 side.

“A few of us took the UEFA B course at the FAW over the summer and it involves doing some coaching hours so we decided we’d get involved as much as possible rather than going in and doing the odd session here and there,” says the midfielder.

“I ended up with the under-14s so I’ve been involved with them since pre-season.

“I get to the games as often as I can and I help out with coaching several times a week.

“There are some good players there and I’m enjoying it and they seem to respond to it as well.

“When I turn up now they tell me how I did on the Saturday as well – telling me I was bullied by Akinfenwa or whatever – it’s a good spirit.”

All this progress doesn’t come cheaply of course with Waterhouse warning that progress towards category three status would require an investment of between £150,000 and £200,000.

“We’re trying to create a culture of excellence but it’s paramount that the first team is successful so money is tight,” he says.

“The Smile Council have been great but we’re always on the lookout for new sponsors.

“Ultimately it’s about small, manageable steps and making sure we can deliver future stars for this football club.”