Kyle Hibbert-Smith
Current Club
Willow Wanderers FC
Centre midfield
Kyle is a small, agile dribbler who glides through tight spaces with ease, using quick feet and sharp changes of direction to unbalance defenders. His close control is exceptional, allowing him to keep the ball glued to his feet under pressure and making it extremely difficult for opponents to dispossess him. He reads the game intelligently, constantly scanning the pitch and anticipating movements before they unfold. His vision, creativity, and decision-making make him a constant threat in attacking areas and a reliable link between midfield and attack.
Athlete Information
Current Club: Willow Wanderers FC
Previous Club(s): Gedling FC, Bulwell Athletic
Athletic Achievements: Coaches Player (2024/25), Players’ Player (2018/19), Player of the Year (2017/18), Most Improved (2017/18), Most Improved (2015/16)
Academic Information
Study Major Preference: Sports Related
GPA: 2.66
English Language - 5
English Literature - 5
Mathematics - 5
Combined Science - 5,4
Design & Technology - 4
Business - 3
History - 6
Sports Studies - L2 Distinction
Placement Year
Fall 2027
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
March 27, 2009
Place of Birth
United Kingdom
Height
5 foot 5 inches
Weight
115 lbs
Preferred Foot
Right
“I’ve been coaching Kyle for around 2/3 years and the other day I was asked by him to give a reference about why he should be considered for a scholarship to play football in America, but the text box was way too small for the amount of things I can say about Kyle and why he should be chosen. What I can say about Kyle is he is a coaches dream to coach. He’s a real leader and will lead by example on the pitch, and is always willing to learn more. Although he is the one on the pitch, and evidently a stand out player, he will still come to the sideline at half time or come to me after training and ask me what could be done better, he is always striving to be better and shows that each and every time he has the ball at his feet. His mentality is very strong for a player his age and even when his teammates aren’t quite playing up to the standard he does, he will lead by example and is willing to put the work in to make up for their mistakes and fight for the team. Now I believe hard work is enough to make a player great no matter the talent, but Kyle is absolutely filled with talent. Both intelligently and physically. Kyle is a coaches dream because I can explain a drill to the group and if the majority don’t quite get it, he will run through it and take the lead and explain to his own group while I go through it with another group of players. I can trust him to understand exactly what I want and need, and to execute it perfectly. His football IQ and intelligence is beyond a lot of players I’ve ever seen or played with myself, everything just clicks right away and it’s a dream. But in terms of on the ball talent, you rarely ever see the ball get taken off of him. You could place him with a ball in the middle of the London Underground and he’d still find a way out without losing it. It is unlike anything I’ve seen before. The quality is just absolutely unmatched. And even off the ball talent, the movement, the communication both verbally and physically of where he’s going or where he wants the ball, he really knows what he is doing and sometimes it’s unfortunate he has the players around him that can’t quite give him the same effort and talent back. As if we had a team full of Kyle’s, we would rinse every team we play. Kyle is a top class team player and instantly improves any team he steps into. He supports and encourages the players around him to better themselves, and is a real asset for any team he steps into. I truly believe football is in his future if he stays on this same trajectory and continues to work as hard as he does, no doubt about it. In conclusion, Kyle is a spectacular one of a kind player, and I refused to give his reference in a tiny box as I had a hell of a lot to say and really wanted to put across what a pleasure it is coaching him, I even feel this isn’t enough words to express how incredible he really is, both on and off the pitch. Because to tell you to consider Kyle is an understatement, I’d tell you that you NEED a player like Kyle.”