Academy Coach (CIDS)

Academy Coach (CIDS)

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Fulham Football Club

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coach the next generation of football talent while gaining invaluable experience.
  • Company: Fulham FC, in partnership with the Premier League, promoting diversity in coaching.
  • Benefits: Full-time role, mentoring, immersive learning, and access to FA/UEFA qualifications.
  • Other info: Gain a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in football while championing inclusion and diversity.
  • Qualifications: UEFA B Licence required; coaching experience in various environments preferred.

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

Join the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS). Fulham FC, 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 Fulham FC 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.

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

Preparing:

  • Support the ongoing development of both Individual Learning Plans (‘ILP’) and the Age Group Plan.
  • Co‑ordinate communication with players and families around the programme (training, fixtures and reviews).
  • Lead the MDT to prepare and integrate their work, creating team and individual training plans.
  • Lead the preparation of meaningful content for individual player reviews.
  • Support the preparation of content for team and individual performance education delivery.
  • Enrol on Premier League’s Coach Development Programme, accredited by Leeds Beckett University and work towards obtaining a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching.
  • Complete all Diploma in Professional Football Coach project requirements to a high professional standard, and proactively engage with coaching cell and programme mentors.

Delivering:

  • Lead the delivery of team training sessions in line with the expectations outlined within the Academy Performance Plan (Technical Plan (‘TP’)) specifically integrating team and individual outcomes into practice.
  • Lead the delivery of individual training sessions (both inside and outside of team training sessions) in line with ILP commitments.
  • Lead teams and individuals through fixtures, tours and tournaments, aligning the environment design and coaching behaviours to the expectations outlined within the Academy Performance Plan (TP).
  • Lead the delivery of performance education sessions in line with the expectations outlined within the Academy Performance Plan (TP).

Reviewing:

  • Support the effective review of team training sessions in line with ‘reflection’ expectations outlined within the Academy Performance Plan (TP).
  • Support the effective review of individual training sessions and their impact on player‑coach relationships and player performance over time.
  • Coordinate the review of team and individuals match performances in all games programme, tours and tournament fixtures.
  • Coordinate the ongoing ‘rolling’ review of each players ILP, ensuring the creation of clear action plans, involving colleagues from different disciplinary backgrounds, through weekly MDT meetings.
  • Record reflections on personal coaching performance (in both training and fixture environments) in line with the ‘reflection’ expectations outlined within the Academy Performance Plan (TP).
  • Lead the effective review of player review events and processes, ensuring improvements are actioned over time.
  • Support the effective review of the performance education programme for the age group.
  • Be accountable for own Development Action Plan, seeking feedback from peers, reflecting on own professional practice and evolving coaching skills to meet the needs of players.

Academy Coach (CIDS) employer: Fulham Football Club

Fulham FC is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS) as an Academy Coach. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the club fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises personal and professional development through mentoring, immersive learning experiences, and access to prestigious coaching qualifications. Located in the vibrant community of Fulham, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages growth and innovation in the world of football coaching.
Fulham Football Club

Contact Detail:

Fulham Football Club Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Academy Coach (CIDS)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the football coaching scene. Attend workshops, seminars, or local matches to meet coaches and industry professionals. You never know who might have a lead on an opportunity!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your coaching experiences, qualifications, and any successful projects you've been involved in. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to clubs, academies, and organisations directly to express your interest in coaching roles. A little initiative can go a long way in landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate coaches like you. Make sure to check out our listings and submit your application directly to us for the best chance at getting noticed.

We think you need these skills to ace Academy Coach (CIDS)

UEFA B Licence
Coaching Experience
FA Safeguarding Certificate
Emergency First Aid
Enhanced DBS
Holistic Youth Development
Communication Skills
Relationship-Building Skills
Planning and Preparation
Team Training Delivery
Individual Training Delivery
Performance Education Delivery
Reflective Practice
Development Action Planning
Mentoring Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for coaching and player development shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for the game and how you can inspire the next generation of coaches.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant coaching experience, especially in grassroots or community settings. We’re looking for candidates who understand the unique challenges and rewards of developing young talent.

Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to share your personal journey and what diversity means to you. We value authenticity and want to know how your background and experiences can contribute to our inclusive environment.

Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fulham Football Club

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme. Familiarise yourself with Fulham FC’s coaching philosophy and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to the role.

✨Showcase Your Passion for Development

Be ready to discuss your experiences in coaching, especially in grassroots or community settings. Highlight your passion for player development and how you create developmentally appropriate learning environments. Use specific examples to illustrate your commitment.

✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills

As an Academy Coach, excellent communication is key. Prepare to share how you’ve effectively communicated with players, families, and multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Think of instances where your relationship-building skills made a difference.

✨Reflect on Your Coaching Journey

Be prepared to discuss your personal coaching reflections and how they’ve shaped your approach. Talk about how you’ve used feedback to improve your coaching practice and how you plan to continue evolving in this role.

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