Academy Physical Performance Coach (Part-Time) in London

Hours: 0.65 FTE (25 hours per week). Work schedule is mainly aligned with the U15/16 squad training schedule. This role will include evening and weekend work as directed by the Head of Integrated Performance / Lead Academy PPC. Additional hours to support the academy schoolboy programme will be required.

Remuneration: £20,000 p.a.

Job Purpose: To be responsible for the design, delivery and evaluation of strength and conditioning programmes for Academy aged players, focusing predominantly (but not exclusively) on U9-16 age groups, including integral input into the LTAD strategy for the club.

Key Duties

• A. Physical Performance Support
• Design and deliver physical development sessions across all age groups U9-16, including both on and off-pitch delivery. Session themes to be linked to the LTAD model.
• As part of the IDP process, collaboratively create bespoke physical performance programmes and strategies which clearly underpin football performance, physical development and robustness for U16 players (Assess, Plan, Deliver, Review).
• Lead the development and delivery of physical profiling/monitoring for all schoolboy age groups in line with both PhD requirements and EPPP rules throughout the season.
• B. Return to Performance Support
• As part of a multidisciplinary team, be a key member in delivering high-level return to performance support to optimise each player's rehab journey and effectively return academy players to full fitness.
• Work collaboratively with Medical and the Schoolboy Academy Therapist to develop bespoke RTP plans for each injured U16 player, with an emphasis on leading their ongoing physical development while injured. Support for U12-16 RTP is also required.
• C. On-Pitch Performance Support
• Lead the overall on-pitch training plan design to ensure effective management of players' physical programme and readiness to train and compete for the U15/U16 group specifically.
• Lead all on-pitch warm-ups and physical development components that are fully integrated within football sessions, in effective collaboration with football coaches and all MDT staff responsible for on-pitch delivery.
• Lead the monitoring of external training load, ensuring individual loadings are reviewed and planned based on training and match data (U16 group).
• Continually liaise with all academy staff to organise movement of players' training/playing across age groups within the youth development phase.
• D. Overall Environment Duties
• Attend all appropriate review/planning meetings (Team, MDT, Performance, etc.) to proactively contribute to the overall management of the environment, players and general day-to-day scheduling.
• Maintain a clear periodised plan at team and individual level that considers the training/fixture schedule and provides proactively planned strategies to manage the groups' physical development, robustness and readiness across the whole calendar year.
• Assist when needed with athletic development sessions for PDP age groups, including the overall planning of profiling across the PDP (PhD data dependent).
• E. Off-Pitch Development
• Develop and deliver individualised strength and conditioning programmes for Academy players, primarily (but not exclusively) for the U16 team squad. General programme design for all schoolboy sessions.
• Identify, implement and educate on appropriate recovery strategies for academy players and parents.
• F. Safeguarding
• Develop and maintain an impeccable knowledge of safeguarding best practice, including a deep understanding of safeguarding children regulations, legislation and governing body rules.
• Ensure that any safeguarding or welfare concerns are reported efficiently.
• Comply with all company policies/procedures and adhere to all company regulations regarding health, safety and security.

About The Candidate

Qualifications

• Degree in Sport Science or Strength and Conditioning (or related discipline)
• Master's degree (or working towards one) in Sport Science or Strength and Conditioning (or related discipline)
• UKSCA accreditation or equivalent
• BASES accreditation, or ability to attain within 6-12 months

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience providing physical performance support in elite environments (football desirable but not essential)
• Passionate about working with young elite athletes and creating/managing programmes to facilitate their long-term physical, psychological and social development
• Experience working with coaches and other members of an MDT
• Experience as a leader, including staff development
• Strong IT skills including a high level of competence in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Creative and engaging presentation skills
• Excellent overall numeracy and literacy

Attitude and Behaviours

• Professional and committed, with strong organisational and administrative skills
• A desire to seek solutions
• A genuine team player
• Empathy with young people and their challenges

Personal Qualities

• Dynamic and hardworking
• Excellent communication skills
• Proactive decision-maker
• Takes responsibility for ensuring a high quality of work
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and personal commitment to achieving agreed objectives
• Receptive to feedback about own behaviour, strengths and areas for improvement
• Displays a high level of confidentiality
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Flexible and willing to learn
• Must hold a valid driving licence