EVERTON chief executive Robert Elstone believes Jack Rodwell’s first call-up to England’s senior squad reflects equally well on both the player and the club’s academy.

The Birkdale-born 20-year-old, part of Everton’s set-up since the age of seven, has been selected by Fabio Capello for the forthcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

“We are very proud and pleased for Jack,” said Elstone.

“It is a fantastic reward for everything he has achieved, all the hard work that had gone into Jack from our academy and the hard work he has put in.

“It is great for Jack and something we are fantastically proud of; he has made everyone here associated with the club, and the academy in particular, exceptionally proud of his England call-up.”

Everton yesterday hosted a conference at their Finch Farm training complex for top clubs from the Barclays Premier League and around Europe and representatives from the Football League and Scottish Premier League to talk about youth development.

The Goodison Park outfit have produced a significant number of first team players from their academy, ranging from Tony Hibbert, through to the likes of Leon Osman, Rodwell and Jose Baxter, to the latest emergence of Ross Barkley, during which time Wayne Rooney has also departed to Manchester United.

Elstone admits it is an area the club, with their current financial restrictions, have to work hard on.

“We have a fantastic track record (in youth development) and it continues to be a top priority for us and continues to get lots of investment,” he told evertontv.

“A lot of people have remarked on what is most important is that young players get opportunities in the first team and Everton can boast a record as good as, if not better, than any other team in the Premier League.

“That is a tremendous carrot from a recruitment point of view.

“The boys have to be good enough but they are and that is testament to the people, the procedures and facilities and techniques we have at Finch Farm.

“Our critical test and objective is absolutely about winning games but to do that the most important thing we can do is out-perform our rivals on identification, recruitment and development and coaching and preparation of talented young footballers.

“That is absolutely key to success and will set us apart and enable us to be competing at the highest level.

“It is a key part of our business and something we are very proud of.”