Academy restructure confirmed

The club has announced a restructure in how the Academy of Light is run, following the departure earlier this year of Kees Zwamborn.

Ged McNamee has been confirmed as Academy Manager, overseeing all operations at the facility. Kevin Ball has been named as his assistant. Together they will supervise the coaching of the U18's side.

Elliott Dickman, Wayne Walls, Carlton Fairweather and Brian Buddle will assist in the running of the Academy, reporting in to Mick McCarthy.

Dickman will oversee the coaching of the U16's. Fairweather, a former Wimbledon player, joins the coaching team after leaving his role as a community coach; while Walls, a former Sunderland apprentice, becomes a development centre co-ordinator.

Mick McCarthy is in overall charge of the Academy.

Ged McNamee said today, "The manager wants to be more involved and he has asked me to take on the role of academy manager. He wants the academy lads to have closer links to the first-team.

"Kevin Ball commands a lot of respect among the lads and a great deal of experience so it's good to have him on board."