Academy Awards

Players from the Everton Academy attended their annual awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

The event, which took place at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, had all teams from the Academy in attendance ranging from the Under 6s right through to the Under 18s.

The youngsters were accompanied by their families on a night designed to recognise the efforts made by all players associated with Everton.

The most prestigious award of the evening was the Keith Tamlin award and is given to the player who has contributed in all aspects at the club. This includes being a role model not just on the pitch, but also off it.

The former director and current vice life president made the presentation to Kieran Agard.

Academy Awards

The former Arsenal schoolboy was following in the footsteps of John Irving, who won the award last year. Agard admitted that next season he will be looking to make the same kind of step up that Jack Rodwell has made this year.

On the night, Rodwell who won the academy player of the year at the club's official awards evening in the previous week, was presenting awards to players that only a year ago were his team-mates.

Prizes were also given out to each age group from the under 6s onwards, and every player was given a club pennant in recognition of their efforts.

Extra acknowledgment was given to the internationals within the Academy ranks including the likes of England under 16 international Jose Baxter, Austria under 17 international George Krenn and Wales under 17 international Nathan Craig.

Academy manager Ray Hall addresses attendees at the Awards evening

The evening also included contributions from guest speakers vice life president Keith Tamlin, Liverpool Mayor Paul Clark and honourary Evertonian on the night Lord Lyell.

Academy manager, Ray Hall, who was compere on the night said: "It’s fantastic to see all this talent under one roof and amongst them could be a first team player of the future.

“It is extremely important to recognise the efforts made by our younger players and we have definitely done that tonight."