Company Description
De Silva Coaching LTD is a professional football development business founded in 2021, focused on bridging the gap between grassroots football and elite performance across East Anglia. The company delivers high-quality 1-to-1, 2-to-1, and small group coaching that prioritizes technical mastery, game intelligence, and long-term player development. Its flagship Pathway to Pro programme includes teams competing in the Junior Premier League (JPL), offering players academy-style fixtures and playing standards. Training is delivered across multiple locations, including Wisbech, King’s Lynn, Market Deeping, Norwich, Ipswich, and Pulham St Mary. Since launch, De Silva Coaching LTD has helped over 80 players secure academy placements and supported multiple players in earning professional contracts, demonstrating a strong track record in progressing talent.
Role Description
The JPL Head Coach will lead a Junior Premier League team based in Pulham St Mary, overseeing all aspects of player development, match preparation, and team performance. This part-time, hybrid role combines on-site coaching at training sessions and fixtures with remote planning, analysis, and communication. Day-to-day responsibilities include planning and delivering high-intensity, age-appropriate training sessions, selecting squads, setting match tactics, and managing players during games. The coach will track player progress, provide individual feedback, and align all work with the club’s technical curriculum and long-term development philosophy. The role also involves maintaining regular communication with players and families, collaborating with other coaches, and ensuring safeguarding, wellbeing, and professional standards are consistently upheld.
Qualifications
- Coaching expertise: Recognized football coaching qualifications (e.g., FA Level 2 / UEFA C or above), strong understanding of youth development, and experience coaching in competitive environments such as JPL, grassroots, or academy settings.
- Tactical and technical knowledge: Ability to design and deliver sessions that develop technical skills, game intelligence, and decision-making, with clear match plans and in-game tactical adjustments.
- Player development and welfare: Commitment to long-term player growth, holistic development, and safeguarding best practices, with the ability to adapt coaching styles to different ages, abilities, and learning needs.
- Communication and leadership: Excellent communication skills, confident team leadership, and the ability to motivate, manage, and positively influence young players, parents/guardians, and colleagues.
- Organization and professionalism: Strong planning, time management, and record-keeping skills, including session planning, attendance tracking, and performance reviews, with reliability around evening/weekend fixtures and training.
- Compliance and checks: Valid enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain), up-to-date first aid and safeguarding certifications, and a clean driving license with access to transport to attend training and matches.
