Under-18s Ace Iversen Scoops Top Prize At Academy AwardsEverton Under-18s midfielder Einar Iversen was honoured with the prestigious Keith Tamlin award at the Club’s annual Academy Awards evening at St George's Hall on Thursday night.
The accolade is named after the Club’s Vice Life President and honours a player for their “excellence, attitude and application” during their time in the Academy.
As well as Mr Tamlin, the ceremony was attended by Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands, Academy Director Joel Waldron and Academy graduate Jonjoe Kenny.
Under-18s skipper Iversen, who joined the Blues from Norwegian outfit Stord in 2017, follows in the footsteps of the likes of Tom Davies, Beni Baningime and Ross Barkley, who have previously won the prize.
A classy central midfield player, Iversen’s energy and authority has consistently impressed this season, as he helped the young Blues achieve a third-place finish in the U18 Premier League (North) table.
Just 17 years old, Iversen’s excellent progress at Everton has been recognised at international level, and he already been capped for Norway’s Under-21s. This season also saw Iversen make his debut for David Unsworth’s double-winning Everton Under-23 side.
“This means so much,” said Iversen, after receiving his award from Mr Tamlin.
“You look at players who have won it before, and it’s inspiring.
“It’s been a good year for me. I was given the captaincy, which I didn’t expect, but I feel like I’ve developed as a leader as the season has gone on.
“The coaches have been fantastic, they’re so passionate and focused.
“I’ve been at Everton for two years now and it’s been the best two years of my life. I’m looking forward to the future now.”
Other special guests on the night included Under-23s captain Morgan Feeney, fresh from scoring the winner in Wednesday night’s Premier League Cup final win over Newcastle United at Goodison Park, and Club ambassador Graham Stuart.
Academy Director Joel Waldron said the celebratory evening underlined the rich reserves of talent coming through the Academy.
Waldron also outlined the Club’s focus on helping to develop the boys as human beings as well as footballers.
“Seeing Jonjoe and Morgan here, and the young men they’ve became, makes me very proud,” he explained.
“They are a credit to Everton. We want our boys to be the best possible footballers they can be, and also become good people.
“Jonjoe and Morgan - who have been at the Club since the age of nine and gone onto become professionals - are testament to that.
“We don’t often get the chance to get everyone under one roof, like we have at this awards ceremony. It’s fantastic to get the boys, parents, guardians, host families and coaches all here to celebrate the successes we’ve had.
“This is a Club that wholeheartedly believes in youth development. We’ve got incredible talent here and it is a privilege to work with these boys.”
Director of Football Marcel Brands added that building on the Club’s tradition of blooding young talent and producing homegrown players for the Everton first-team is one of his key ambitions.
He also paid tribute to the efforts of the Academy staff in helping to provide the best possible environment for young players to flourish.
“The Academy is so important for the Club,” Brands said.
“We have a very dedicated staff here. We have got real Evertonians all over the place. They work hard and there is good discipline.
“Also, most importantly, we have got a lot of talented players.
“When I came here, obviously the first thing was looking at the first-team and the transfer market, but since then I have put a lot of focus on the Academy and learning about the boys we have here.
“While there is a lot of money involved in football nowadays, the fundamental part of a Club is its youth academy. We have seen there is a pathway here, with a lot of players coming through the Academy into our first team.”
Other prize-winners on the night included prolific striker Ellis Simms, who was presented with the Under-18s Player of the Season award.
The youngster has enjoyed a remarkable goalscoring campaign, netting 46 times in all competitions.
“I never expected to score as many goals as I have – I would have settled for half of that!” Simms said.
“It’s been an unbelievable season. The coaches have helped me to improve in all aspects of my game.
“The players who I’ve played with have been great, too. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Centre-back Elliot Richards, meanwhile, won the Tony Heslop award, which is voted for by coaches and staff to reward a youngster who “represents The People’s Club with distinction and passion”.
Defender Tom Warren received the Sir Philip Carter Education & Endeavour prize. This award is given to the Under-18s player who has shown first-class commitment and achievement in his education while at the Academy
The players who have represented their countries at international level were also acknowledged, while Player of the Season awards were presented to boys from all age groups, from the Under-6s to Under-16s.
This year's ceremony also saw the introduction of the True Blue award, which was presented to a boy from each age category who has demonstrated the Everton values throughout the season with excellent behaviour and punctuality, and has been a role model for others to follow.
Sean Lundon, Head of Academy Coaching, detailed how the culture instilled at Everton helps to provide a platform for each boy in the Academy to fulfil their potential.
“It’s a special night to recognise all the hard work and efforts that have gone into the year,” he said.
“We set standards here, we have boundaries, and we educate the boys to be good people and support them in every way we can.
“It’s a tough school, it’s hard place to come into, you’ve got to work hard and integrate and commit. It’s a tough environment but an enjoyable one, too.
“We want the boys to learn a lot about life as well as football.”
Everton FC