Terry Westley

Academy manager Terry Westley has made a number of changes to his backroom staff ahead of the new season.

Fitness coach Will Royall has been replaced by Andy Kilinins and Dave Hunt takes over from Ian Rodgerson as Academy physiotherapist, with Dave Smith coming in as his assistant.

On the coaching side of things, former Blues captain Kevan Broadhurst has been brought in as the new Under 15's and 16's coach and Paul Reynolds joins as the new goalkeeping coach.

"Whenever anyone comes into a business you try and put a team of staff together because they are the people that will determine how well you do as an individual," said Westley explaining the changes

"Will Royall has gone to Wigan to work with their first team players to try and further his career.

"We would have liked him to stay because he has done a very good job.

"But the task then is to replace people with someone better, in the same way as you do with players.

"In his place we have brought in Andy Kilinins from Coventry.

"I knew him from Derby.

"He has a sports science degree and is about to complete a masters degree.

"He is an established coach as well, so he understands what the coaching department needs.

"He had first team experience at Coventry, so if he was needed to do work with first team players as well, that wouldn't be a problem.

"In the physios' department Ian Rodgerson left to go to Forest Green Rovers and Kevin Doyle left to go into private practice.
 
"Dave Hunt replaces Ian as Head Physio.

"Dave was an ex-player at Walsall.

"He was captain of the U18's and got a professional contract, captained their reserve team and played in the first team.

"But at 24 he left to do a degree in physiotherapy at Loughborough while playing semi-professional football to gain some money.

"After his degree he went to Birmingham University to become a Chartered Physio. He has worked in a hospital for two years.

"He has a good background and he ticked all the boxes.

"His assistant is Dave Smith.

"He has been here a long time working with the U16's and on Sundays.

"I have been mightily impressed with him since I have been here and it made sense for me to bring him in."

Kevan Broadhurst

Turning to Kevan Broadhurst 's appointment as the new U15's and 16's coach, Westley believes that it will act as an excellent link between the club and the Community Department.

"I have seen Kevan working here for two years in the Community Department," added Westley

"We need to link the Community Department with the Academy because of all the kids they see.

"We sat down in the summer to talk about how we could get him to come and work for us.

"Eventually we agreed that he would come in to work with the U15's and U16's in the evenings so he can combine that with his current job.

"He will also go in and out of the other age groups.

"His experience and his background at the club being an ex-captain who cares passionately about the club will a big asset to us."