SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell believes continuity is the key for his side after retaining Kyle Smith on their roster for next season.

Smith, who played his first full season with the Cats last term, has agreed to stay at the club for another year.

The 18-year-old becomes the 15th addition to Nell’s roster, of which 13 will be returning to the club, with Renny Marr and Luc Johnson the new additions.

With experienced players such as Jan Kostal, Max Birbraer and Phil Hill already at the club, Nell believes it can only be a good thing for Smith’s development.

Nell was quick to praise the robust teenager, saying that Smith does the gritty parts of the game, something which isn’t very common in younger players.

“Kyle had a bit of an up and down season last year with injury but he’s young, keen and he will be stronger again next season,” said Nell.

“His game sense will improve and getting that consistency. He made a great start to the season and he was flying, then he had a down period but that’s to be expected from an 18-year-old.

“It’s about getting the consistency, it’s about being a professional and that is what he is going to do.

“We have a good spread of age. We have the old guys who can show the young ones how to do it, there is a reason they have been playing so long.

“Kyle does things people don’t like to do, he is tough to play against, he blocks shots and we just need to bring out the consistency in him.

“When he is out there he gives 100 per cent, he can hit hard and he’s not very nice to play against, which is what you want.”

With only two new additions so far, Nell concedes continuity is the key for the Wildcats this season as they prepare for life in the National League South.

Smith becomes the latest teenager to commit to the Cats with Ollie Stone, Ben Nethersell and Jordan Kelsall already signed on.

Nell believes that those young players are an integral part of what he is trying to build at the Link Centre.

“We are trying to build something here, I don’t think you can just overhaul things every year,” added Nell. “We are looking to make a couple of new signings and we are very close but it was very important to get the core of our team together.

“Our core is a young group of players and we need to push them to the next level, that is where hard work and a good attitude comes in.”