U20 Strength and Conditioning Coach (Men’s Pathway) in London

The U20 Strength & Conditioning Coach will carry out all S&C and sport science delivery for the U20 Men’s England team, building individual plans for young English players and operating within a multidisciplinary performance support team (MDT) to help create a world-class development environment. This role will lead England’s side of the partnership with PREM Club Academies to optimise the athletic development of our best young players and to ensure these players are able to transition effectively between club and country. This role will also deliver coaching support at all England U20 camps and provide advice and educational materials on athletic development for the benefit of the game of rugby. Finally, this role will work hand in hand with our U18 S&C Coach to ensure aligned support services within the pathway and also connect where appropriate with relevant staff within the Senior Men’s team.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Delivering world class conditioning programs to our best developing rugby players and monitoring the efficacy of the program design for individual players.
• Communicate effectively with both international and club performance teams on individual player development.
• Attend all required England U20 training camps, matches and tours and work full-time out of camps.
• Effectively collate athletic performance data to produce individual player reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of team camps and tours to ensure optimal player preparation.
• Lead on the content of the game-wide Standardised Athletic Assessment battery that will be delivered across all academies as part of the Professional Game Partnership (PGP).
• Work with the Men’s U18 S&C coach and the wider RFU performance teams to further develop best practice for fitness development, testing and recovery.
• Participate in specified research projects as required.
• Maintain a commitment to self-development; continue to research and develop current practice to ensure delivery is maintained at the highest possible standards.
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values – This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other.
• Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation.

Qualifications, skills & experience:

• Proven experience of working with professional rugby players is desirable.
• Outstanding coaching and motivational skills, especially with young players.
• Demonstrate credible experience of planning, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring individual fitness programmes within an elite sport environment.
• Demonstrate significant experience working within and leading an athletic development programme, ideally with experience of working in an academy or pathway setting.
• Previous experience working with and understanding the unique working context of adolescent athletes.
• Outstanding scientific knowledge in the physical development of young people including adolescents.
• Proven technical capability to a UKSCA, CASES, or ‘similar’ formal or applied professional standard.
• Be comfortable using and interpreting information from player monitoring systems (such as GPS and heart rate) and physical testing systems (such as force plates).
• The candidate must be capable of processing and reporting such performance data for use by the coaches and the performance team.
• Strong motivational, leadership, relationship, communication and listening skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of high professional standards combined with passion, confidence, and a proven track record of fitness coaching.
• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

Additional Information:

• All role holders must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality. Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.
• The role description, person specification, job level and job title may be subject to change at the discretion of the RFU and under business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate.
• Personal circumstances must allow the candidate to work extended hours on occasion during times of peak activity including evenings and weekends.