New Everton pro Nathan Holland says working with four different coaches who made the grade after progressing through the ranks at Goodison Park is giving the next generation of Toffees hopefuls a better chance of reaching the top.
Holland penned a contract until the summer of 2017 on Friday, becoming the second Academy player in as many weeks to be handed professional terms following a similar deal for defender Jack Bainbridge.
The jet-heeled winger is part of Everton's current Under-18s squad, having played a key role in the team that came within one match of lifting the Premier Academy League title last term.
And the Wythenshawe-born 17-year-old believes learning his trade from John Ebbrell, Phil Jevons, Paul Tait and John Doolan - four Everton Academy graduates who are part of a pioneering coach rotation system at Finch Farm - is helping him realise his full potential.
"They all know what it takes because they've all been there themselves," Holland told evertontv. "They can pass on their experience to us to give us the best chance to do what they have done."
Having taken up the reins from Doolan, Ebbrell's first game in charge of the Under-18s was Saturday's narrow 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.
And though he missed the clash through injury, Holland says he has enjoyed his early days working under the 1995 FA Cup winner.
"The first impressions have been really good," he said. "We all really like John and he just wants the best for us, so hopefully we can repay him by getting wins under our belts.
"It's a very good team we've got with the Under-18s and you've got to work hard every day for your place. When I come back, I just need to impress John and see where that takes me."
As for turning pro, Holland is delighted to have reached a significant landmark in his fledgling career, having strived for it since being scouted playing in a Manchester youth tournament at the age of eight.
"I've worked hard for this moment and I'm made up to see the rewards," he continued. "I just want to kick on again now.
"It's something you want to work for from the time you join the Club, you know how big it is. Obviously you go through your scholarship first but to get a pro deal is just fantastic."
The next target for Holland is to now finally shake off the niggling injuries that have plagued his campaign to date and get back to helping the Toffees go one better than last season and regain an Under-18s title the Club last won in 2013/14.
"I've been unlucky with a couple of injuries this season and I missed the World Cup for England Under-17s, but I think I'm over that now," he said. "I've worked hard in the gym and hopefully when I come back I can come back stronger and get some more games under my belt.
"None of us want to have that feeling of missing out again. We all know how hurt we were, obviously not getting what we wanted on the last game at Manchester City.
"We want to put it right and, so far this season, we've been doing that. Now, we just need to keep going and hopefully it will happen for us."
