BCWFC Sports Therapist in Bristol

Location: Bristol, UK

Department: Performance

Reports to: Head of Performance Services

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and skilled First Team Sports Therapist to support the effective return-to-play of injured players, working full-time at the Robins High Performance Centre. Working within the Medical & Performance Departments, the successful candidate will design & deliver evidence-based exercise rehabilitation, reconditioning programmes to prepare 1st team players for reintegration into full training and match play.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with current medical staff to assess, diagnose and rehabilitate acute & long-term injuries for all first team injured players.
• Work collaboratively across the performance, medical and coaching departments to provide a fully aligned return-to-play program.
• Effectively deliver screening & testing protocols that objectively assess player capabilities within a criteria-based rehabilitation.
• Provide pitch-side first aid, acute injury management, & emergency care on matchdays & training days.
• Design & implement evidence-based reconditioning programmes to players alongside the medical and performance staff that ensures safe and effective reintegration into full team training.
• Design pitch-based, football-specific sessions that are based on each player’s individual development plan in collaboration with the football and performance staff.
• Provide an elite level interface between medical & performance teams during a players injury rehabilitation, prior to returning to 1st team training and matchplay.
• Liaise with the current medical, performance teams & coaching staff regarding current player availability & rehabilitation progress.
• Work with current medical, performance & coaching teams to review season squad injury surveillance to implement injury prevention strategies.
• Support 1st team injured players when attending specialist consultations & when receiving specialised medical treatment off site.
• Maintain contemporaneous medical notes to an excellent standard while ensuring high levels of professionalism & patient confidentiality.
• Support the Academy medical pathway strategy, creating a fully functioning and collaborative medical thread.
• Participate in CPD, departmental development, and other duties required for smooth operation of both Medical & Performance Departments.

Essential Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy or relevant equivalent qualification.
• Registration with appropriate governing body (SST).
• Specialist interest and expertise in elite athlete rehabilitation and reconditioning for female football players.
• Experience designing and delivering football-specific, pitch-based rehabilitation programmes in elite women’s football clubs.
• Comprehensive understanding of objective return-to-play metrics.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability and willingness to work unsociable hours, including weekends.
• Extensive experience working in female professional sport.
• Safeguarding Children and Adults courses (acquired before starting role).
• DBS check appropriate to role (acquired before starting the role).

Closing date for receipt of applications: Midday on Thursday 2nd April. Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted one month after applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

About Us

Bristol City Women is a football club entering a new era of growth under the stewardship of Mercury13. The club is offering a unique opportunity to shape its governance and compliance function during a pivotal moment in its history. The club has big ambitions for its performance both on and off the pitch. Employees benefit from a supportive work culture that champions diversity and inclusion, alongside the chance to make a meaningful impact in the sporting world.

Safeguarding Statement

Bristol City Women’s Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Note: Due to the nature of the role, any job offer is dependent on a DBS check. All information will be kept by the Safeguarding Officer in strictest confidence.

Equality Statement

The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.