Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry
Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season

Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry

Coventry Full-Time 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Coventry City Football Club

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coach at Coventry City Academy and participate in the Premier League Coach Development Programme.
  • Company: Coventry City Football Club, committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Gain FA/UEFA qualifications and a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching.
  • Other info: Open to all, especially underrepresented groups; reasonable adjustments available for applicants with disabilities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of football while developing your coaching skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: UEFA B Licence and experience in grassroots or community coaching.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.

Step Into the Game: A Career-Changing Coaching Opportunity

Contract Type: 23-month fixed-term

Role & Development Programme: The successful candidate will divide their time between Coventry City Academy Coach employment and the Premier League Coach Development Programme.

Location: The Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry

Join the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS)

Coventry City Football Club, in partnership with the Premier League, is proud to support the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme for the 2026/27 season. We're offering a 23-month, full-time academy coaching role to the successful candidate to support the development of the next generation of football coaches. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

What’s Involved?

You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at Coventry City and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams.

Your development journey will include:

  • Mentoring and bespoke support
  • Immersive learning experiences
  • Peer learning
  • Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)

On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

What We’re Looking For

Essential criteria:

  • UEFA B Licence as a minimum
  • No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club
  • Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings
  • FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (to be completed prior to role commencement)

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis
  • Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport
  • UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award
  • Teaching experience

You’ll bring:

  • A drive to coach in the professional game
  • Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments
  • Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments
  • Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
  • A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game

What You Will Do

You will be fully immersed into the role of a full-time coach at Coventry City Academy, based out of the Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry. Working within one of the Academy phases, you will gain experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team in player development, planning delivering and reflecting on coaching sessions linked to individual development plans. You will coach as part of the Premier League Category Two games programme, both leading and assisting fixtures across the Foundation and Youth Phase, whilst also gaining an understanding of how an Academy wide coaching and playing philosophy is used to support the individual players. Additionally, you will receive a bespoke staff development action plan, allowing you to work on different areas of your coaching craft, both on and off the field.

How to Apply

Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability, please contact the hr@ccfc.co.uk for further support in applying for this role.

Please submit a two-part cover letter:

  1. Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrating how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria. Please structure your responses under the following headings:
    • The essential criteria I fulfil
    • The desirable criteria I fulfil
    • My desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
  2. Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions. Please structure your responses under the following headings:
    • My motivations for applying for the CIDS academy coach role and Premier League Coach Development Programme
    • How the CIDS academy coach role and development programme fits with my career ambitions
    • How my unique expertise, and lived experience, will benefit the club and players
    • How my personal values align to the Academy's values of Respect, Development and Resilience

Your CV

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: Thursday 21st May 2026
  • Email Applications & Queries To: HR - hr@ccfc.co.uk
  • Assessment Activities: Stage 1 w/c 25th May (Remote) & Stage 2 w/c 13th July (Practical)
  • CIDS Induction, Lake District September 2026 (4 days)

Coventry City and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability. Please contact hr@ccfc.co.uk if you would like to discuss this further.

Safeguarding

We are dedicated to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Our Club is committed to maintaining safer recruitment practices. An enhanced DBS check is mandatory for this role.

Join the Sky Blue Army – shaping the future of Coventry City FC on and off the pitch.

Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry employer: Coventry City Football Club

Coventry City Football Club is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to develop your coaching career through the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme. Located at the Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises diversity and inclusion, alongside tailored mentoring and access to prestigious qualifications. This role not only fosters personal growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of football coaches.
Coventry City Football Club

Contact Detail:

Coventry City Football Club Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the coaching world. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current coaches. You never know who might have a lead on an opportunity or can give you some insider tips.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for coaching shine through. Share your experiences and what drives you to develop players. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the club and its values. Understand their coaching philosophy and think about how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the club’s culture.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Coventry City. Keep an eye on deadlines and make sure your application stands out!

We think you need these skills to ace Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry

UEFA B Licence
Coaching Experience
FA Safeguarding Certificate
Emergency First Aid
Enhanced DBS
Holistic Youth Development
Excellent Communication Skills
Relationship-Building Skills
Passion for Player Development
Commitment to Duty of Care
Resilience in High-Performance Environments
Mentoring Skills
Teamwork in Multidisciplinary Settings
Planning and Delivering Coaching Sessions

Some tips for your application 🫡

Get Personal with Your Cover Letter: When writing your cover letter, make it personal! Share your journey and experiences that led you to apply for the CIDS role. We want to see your passion for coaching and how your background aligns with our commitment to diversity.

Structure is Key: Follow the structure outlined in the job description for your cover letter. Break it down into the required sections and clearly address each point. This makes it easier for us to see how you meet the criteria and helps your application stand out!

Showcase Your Unique Expertise: In your application, highlight what makes you unique! Whether it's your coaching style, experiences, or personal values, let us know how these will benefit Coventry City Academy and contribute to our inclusive environment.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your materials correctly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Sky Blue Army!

How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Football Club

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description. Brush up on your UEFA B Licence knowledge and be ready to discuss your coaching experiences, especially in grassroots or community settings.

✨Show Your Passion for Diversity

Since this role emphasises inclusion and diversity, come prepared to share your thoughts on why these values matter in coaching. Think about how your unique background and experiences can contribute to creating a more inclusive environment in football.

✨Prepare Your Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Academy's coaching philosophy and development programmes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.

✨Practice Makes Perfect

Consider doing mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your motivations for applying and how your values align with the Academy's. Practising will help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.

Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 2026 / 2027 Season in Coventry
Coventry City Football Club
Location: Coventry

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