At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop young players in a dynamic football academy environment.
- Company: Fleetwood Town Football Club, committed to player development and safeguarding.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking Academy with a strong track record of success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' lives and careers in football.
- Qualifications: UEFA B Licence and experience in elite youth development required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location
Poolfoot Farm Training Complex
Reports to
Academy Manager
Contract
Permanent
Salary
Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours
Flexible; evening and weekend work will be expected
Role overview
We are looking for an outstanding, highly motivated and forward-thinking Foundation Phase Lead.
You will provide leadership across the phase, create a high-quality learning environment for players and coaches, and ensure the Academy’s coaching curriculum, playing philosophy and player development strategy are consistently implemented.
You will play an important role in identifying, developing and progressing young players while supporting the coaches working within the phase.
You will join a forward-thinking Category 2 Academy with a strong track record of developing players who progress through the football pyramid and into Fleetwood Town’s First Team.
The role will be based primarily at the Club’s £10 million Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.
- What we are looking for
- UEFA B Licence.
- Experience in an elite youth development environment, preferably within a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy.
- A strong understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan and Academy requirements.
- Demonstrable experience of coaching players in the Foundation Phase.
- Experience of leading, supporting or developing other coaches.
- A strong understanding of child-centred coaching and age-appropriate player development.
- Experience of player recruitment and talent identification.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Current FA Safeguarding Children requirements and an appropriate Emergency First Aid qualification.
- A full driving licence and access to transport.
- UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award.
- Previous Foundation Phase leadership experience within a professional Academy.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience using the Football Intelligence Platform or a similar player-development system.
- Evidence of continued professional development in coaching, leadership or youth development.
Key responsibilities
- Phase leadership and player development
- Lead the day-to-day delivery and development of the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
- Work with the Head of Coaching to implement and develop an age-appropriate coaching curriculum.
- Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching provision and maintain appropriate records.
- Lead player reviews and Individual Learning Plans, with meaningful and regularly reviewed objectives.
- Monitor player transitions through the Foundation Phase and into the Transition Phase.
- Work with the Academy’s multidisciplinary team to support players’ technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development.
- Coaching and coach development
- Coach a designated age group and support delivery across other age groups where appropriate.
- Set high standards of coaching practice and give regular support and feedback to part-time coaches.
- Support Coach Development Action Plans aligned with the Academy’s Coach Expertise Framework.
- Promote reflection, collaboration, innovation and continuous professional development.
- Recruitment and player pathway
- Work with Academy Recruitment on player identification across the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
- Support the identification, assessment and integration of trialists and prospective Academy players.
- Develop a strong understanding of the local talent pool and the needs of each age group.
- Ensure recruitment decisions consider current ability and long-term potential.
- Programme and operational management
- Coordinate training, fixtures, festivals, tournaments and other development opportunities.
- Ensure the games programme offers suitable challenge and variety.
- Maintain clear, professional communication with players, parents and Academy staff.
- Keep player development, coaching and programme information accurate and up to date.
- Academy leadership and safeguarding
- Take ownership of standards and culture within the Foundation Phase and contribute to the wider Academy strategy.
- Work with other phase leads and Heads of Department to maintain consistency across the Academy.
- Provide regular updates to the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.
- Act as a Safeguarding Champion and place players’ welfare, wellbeing and best interests at the centre of all decisions.
- Maintain professional boundaries and follow Club policies on safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, information handling and professional conduct.
- Carry out other duties as directed by the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.
- Safeguarding
Fleetwood Town Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.
We expect all staff, volunteers and applicants to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour.
This post is subject to relevant DBS checks as part of our safer recruitment process.
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Foundation Phase Lead employer: Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town Football Club is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where passion for sports turf maintenance thrives. Located at Highbury Stadium and Poolfoot Farm, employees benefit from a supportive team environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to contribute to the success of a community-focused football club. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, the club ensures a rewarding workplace for all staff members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Foundation Phase Lead
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Fleetwood Town F.C.. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Foundation Phase Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Fleetwood Town F.C. aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fleetwood Town F.C.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Fleetwood Town F.C., make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
