Rovers are pleased to confirm the appointment of Frank Sinclair as professional development phase coach.
Sinclair has been in the role on an interim basis following the appointment of Chad Gribble to first team assistant head coach in October.
During his time in charge of the U18 group, Sinclair has guided them to the quarter-finals of the Professional Development League Cup, with an important win against Category Two side Barnsley in the previous round.
The U18s are currently sixth in the Youth Alliance League - four points off leaders Lincoln City - after two wins from three games.
“I am really pleased to have been appointed," Sinclair said. "I have been around the Academy for 18 months now and I've had the opportunity to work with the U12s up to the U16s this season.
"I helped Chad Gribble with the U18s individual development programme before I took interim charge so I knew the group of players already.
"I am really excited about the young players we have got coming through, especially over the next few seasons, as there are some exciting players in the Academy."
The former Chelsea defender has an existing relationship with head coach Danny Schofield which will allow him to align his group with the culture and style being implemented at first team level.
Frank added: "The head coach is filtering down a philosophy of how we want to play.
"I know Danny very well as we played together at Huddersfield Town for a couple of years so I know how good his ideas are and how he likes to work, which is a huge benefit to our relationship in terms of knowing how we want to play.
"My job is to feed Danny's ideas down so that I can help create players that benefit the first team and creates an easy transition for any players who might make the step up to the senior squad."
Frank's first game in permanent charge of the U18s will be away at Accrington Stanley in the Youth Alliance Cup on Tuesday January 10 at 11.30am.