At a Glance
- Tasks: Coach U18 players in strength and conditioning, ensuring top-notch physical development.
- Company: Join AFC Bournemouth, a club dedicated to player growth and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy free parking, subsidised lunches, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and continuous professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' development while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and 3+ years in a football academy setting required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 14 June 2026
Department: Academy - Performance & Medicine
Location: AFC Bournemouth Performance Centre, Wimborne
Academy Values
- Players First: holding individual player development as the main intention behind decisions made as a coach and wider professional.
- Togetherness: working in a prosocial manner as part of a wider team – willing to contribute beyond own interests.
- Integrity: carrying out academy and club values in an open and honest manner.
- Accountability: willing to take responsibility for actions in a manner which allows learning, growth and reflection.
Key Responsibilities
The current post holder will strive to develop gold standard practice within the academy Performance & Medicine department at AFC Bournemouth, delivering the day-to-day physical development programme to our U18 squad. This will be achieved through the understanding and implementation of best practice strength and conditioning, and appropriate level of scientific support.
Departmental Requirements
- To work and liaise effectively within the department and integrate into the club’s pursuit of increasing the category rating set by the EPPP.
- Willing to further their knowledge through continuous professional development and implement relevant knowledge into practice, of which the club will support.
- Willingness to work across a range of age groups spanning from the U9’s to the U18’s.
- Build and maintain good working relationships with the first team Performance & Medicine staff to ensure communication between the academy, U18 squad and first team is consistently happening in which best practice and knowledge can be shared.
Strength and Conditioning Responsibilities
- Deliver best practice strength and conditioning coaching in line with the department philosophies day to day, to the U18 squad.
- Produce and deliver gym and field based conditioning programmes tailored for differing needs of each player within the squad.
- Produce and lead end stage rehabilitation sessions with injured U18 players.
- Develop and assist in all physical assessment procedures with all academy squads, and ensure all data is recorded and interpreted, with future programmes tailored to individual needs.
- Maintain a chronological database of all conditioning conducted with the players and be able to intervene and readjust programmes.
- Collaborate with the medical team ensuring best practice injury prevention methods are conducted.
- Adhere to the club movement syllabus that can be applied across different age groups highlighting key movements that players should be able to attain during certain stages of development with clear progressions as key motor skills are learnt.
Sport Science Responsibilities
- Ensure that all playing staff are offered high quality scientific support on a day-to-day basis.
- To keep abreast with sport science research development and advances and maintain an open and flexible stance regarding best sport science practice.
- Lead and monitor individual readiness and recovery strategies and implement subsequent interventions daily.
- Monitor and interpret individual and team training data whilst providing knowledgeable feedback to medical department and coaches.
- Use training data to try to offer advice on subsequent team training periodization.
- Produce individual and team phase reports including readiness, recovery, training, and conditioning data.
- Provide high level of interpretation, recommendation and feedback to coaches and medical department.
- Demonstrate a willingness to further personal knowledge into all disciplines of performance support including nutrition, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics, by attending relevant educational courses to positively enhance future sport science practice.
- Partake and contribute to department in service sessions on a regular basis, aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the department and ensuring best practice.
- Contribution to 12 weekly player reports providing individual feedback in conjunction with the medical team on players athletic profile and development.
General
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental, and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
- As a member of staff to ensure that you adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
- Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- BSc Sport & Exercise Science (or similar).
- Experience using GPS systems.
- 3+ Years experience of working in a Football academy setting.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
- Recent & in-date DBS & FA Safeguarding Children Certificates.
- Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF).
Desired
- MSc in Sport Science, S&C, or related discipline.
- CASES Accreditation
- UKSCA Accreditation
Benefits
- Free onsite parking.
- Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
- Discounts at the club Superstore.
- Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
- Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
- Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
- Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
- Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
- Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
- Paid day’s leave on your birthday.
Academy Performance Coach (U18) employer: AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment at our Performance Centre in Wimborne. We prioritise player development and teamwork, offering continuous professional growth opportunities and a range of benefits including subsidised meals, health plans, and paid volunteer days, ensuring our staff feel valued and engaged in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Academy Performance Coach (U18)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at AFC Bournemouth, especially those in the Performance & Medicine department. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a mini presentation or portfolio showcasing your best strength and conditioning programmes. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your approach to player development. Think about how you can align with the club's values of integrity and accountability. They want to see that you’re all about putting players first!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at AFC Bournemouth.
We think you need these skills to ace Academy Performance Coach (U18)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for player development and coaching shine through. We want to see how much you care about helping young athletes grow and succeed!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Highlight your experience in strength and conditioning, and how it aligns with our goals at AFC Bournemouth.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see how you fit into our team and contribute to our academy.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at AFC Bournemouth
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest strength and conditioning practices, especially those relevant to youth football. Brush up on your knowledge of GPS systems and how they can enhance player performance. Being able to discuss recent research or trends in sport science will show that you're committed to continuous professional development.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role is all about collaboration, so be ready to demonstrate how you work well within a multi-disciplinary team. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with coaches, medical staff, or other professionals to achieve common goals. Highlighting your ability to contribute beyond your own interests will resonate well.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Prepare to discuss how you would create tailored conditioning programmes for individual players. Think about specific examples where you've adapted training based on player needs or injury recovery. This shows that you understand the importance of personalisation in coaching and player development.
✨Emphasise Values
Familiarise yourself with the club’s values: Players First, Togetherness, Integrity, and Accountability. Be prepared to discuss how these values align with your coaching philosophy and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your previous roles. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the job, but also for the club culture.
