Steve Weaver has been promoted to head of football development as Norwich City make changes to their youth development set-up, bringing in an academy stalwart from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Canaries have announced the changes to their academy and development structure, with Weaver moving from the role of academy manager to head of football development.
This means he will be responsible for all academy football development across the club and also take charge of City’s Under-18 squad.
The change has seen Jen Rice brought in as academy manager, who previously worked with Weaver at Wolves, where she spent a total of 12 years working in the West Midlands club’s academy, most recently as academy operations manager.
Weaver was brought to Norwich in September 2017 as a replacement for Richard Money, having previously worked with sporting director Stuart Webber at Huddersfield, Wolves and Wrexham.
He took charge of the U18s during their FA Youth Cup ties this season due to Paul Williams being unwell, who eventually left his role as U18s coach in February due to personal reasons.
Weaver oversaw a 3-2 home win over Newcastle in the third round, with Josh Martin scoring the hat-trick that would catapult him into the first team, as well as a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in front of over 3,000 spectators at Carrow Road.
During his first year as academy manager the U18s had reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals under David Wright’s stewardship, with Max Aarons and Adam Idah graduating from that squad to the first team.
Webber, speaking to City’s website, explained: “The success of the academy since Steve arrived in 2017 has been clear for all to see. This promotion recognises the outstanding work that Steve and the rest of academy staff have delivered over that period.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jen, who has joined to manage the off-pitch running of the academy. That will enable Steve and the academy’s football department to focus even more on producing and developing the next generation of players in our thriving academy.”
Rice joins at an exciting time for the academy, following the successful Canaries Bond scheme which raised £5million to allow City to build new facilities and make improvements, such as new gym and changing room facilities at Colney.
Following her appointment, Rice said: “It’s a big move and change, but I’m delighted to have joined what is a forward-thinking and innovative club.
“I’ve spent a lot of time working at Wolves, but this is a new role that involves working very closely with Steve Weaver and the existing academy team.”
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