At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver athletic performance strategies for academy rugby players.
- Company: Join a prestigious rugby club focused on player development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth, and a dynamic team environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance player performance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of elite rugby players and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in sports science and experience in elite sports environments required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Responsible for leading & delivering the club’s physical development strategy for all Transition / Senior Academy players, ensuring they progress safely and effectively towards the demands of senior elite rugby. This role oversees the design, implementation and monitoring of age appropriate, evidence-based strength and conditioning programmes that support long-term athletic development, enhance performance and minimise injury risk across the whole academy pathway (Including Junior Academy). The role requires a cohesive, integrated approach to player development from under 16s through to the Senior Academy with programming involvement within the senior set up.
A key component of the position involves working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary performance team – academy coaches, medical staff and wider athletic performance staff (including head of athletic performance, sports scientists, nutritionists, senior medical, return to play etc). The Head of Academy Athletic Performance plays a key strategic role in shaping the physical identity, behaviours, professionalism and performance culture of the club’s emerging players.
Key Responsibilities and Skills- Lead the design, delivery and coordination of all individual senior academy athletic performance programmes through effective periodised plans specific to individual needs.
- Deliver effective training programmes across all physical capacities; Hypertrophy, strength, power, max velocity, acceleration, agility, fitness & conditioning to optimise on-field performance.
- Manage gym and on-field training load through catapult GPS and valid systems, daily monitoring processes as directed by the senior programme and communicate any issues relating to player development to relevant staff.
- Ensure the junior and senior athletic performance programmes are aligned and coordinate with the senior programme.
- Coordinate the annual strength and conditioning testing / profiling blocks across the whole pathway according to Welsh Rugby Union national standards and testing schedules.
- Collect, store and manage all athletic performance testing and monitoring data and ensure that it is reviewed frequently to inform the athletic development programmes.
- Liaise regularly with the junior academy strength and conditioning coach, as well as the head of athletic performance to ensure proper alignment and prescription to the needs of academy and senior programmes, in particular the transition from Regional Age Grade U16s to Regional Age Grade U18s; U18s to Senior Academy; Senior Academy to transition and transition to senior player.
- Has the capacity to be responsible for the design and delivery of specific aspects of the senior athletic performance programme.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary high-performance team, maintaining strong relationships with coaching, medical and rehabilitation staff.
- Assist in the delivery of coach, intern and player CPD programmes.
- Academy staff members
- Senior and Academy Athletic performance departments
- Senior and Academy medical departments
- Academy / pathways players
- Senior rugby and support staff
- Senior rugby players
- A degree in sports science / strength & conditioning / long-term athletic development related field.
- Recognised professional accreditation in strength and conditioning (UKSCA, NSCA, ASCA etc).
- Minimum of more than two years experience working within an elite sporting pathway / environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team (e.g. rugby coaches, physiotherapists, sports massage therapists, analysts interns etc.) to design and deliver integrated performance strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Requires strong organisational and time management abilities.
Head of Academy Athletic Performance Coach in Wales employer: Scarlets Rugby
As a leading club in elite rugby, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises the professional growth of our staff. Our commitment to athlete development is matched by our dedication to employee well-being, offering comprehensive training programmes, collaborative team dynamics, and opportunities for career advancement within a vibrant sports culture. Join us in shaping the future of rugby while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a passionate and high-performance setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Academy Athletic Performance Coach in Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the rugby and sports science community. Attend events, workshops, or even local matches to meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous work, including training programmes you've designed or results from athletes you've coached. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the club's culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in player development and performance culture. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be just right for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Academy Athletic Performance Coach in Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Academy Athletic Performance Coach. Highlight your experience in designing and delivering strength and conditioning programmes, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or accreditations you have!
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:Since this role involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, be sure to showcase your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked with coaches, medical staff, and other performance professionals in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for the role without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scarlets Rugby
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and evidence-based practices in strength and conditioning. Brush up on your knowledge about long-term athletic development and be ready to discuss how you would implement these strategies for both junior and senior academy players.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration with various departments, so highlight your experience working within multidisciplinary teams. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked with coaches, medical staff, and other performance professionals to achieve common goals.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since managing and analysing athletic performance data is crucial, demonstrate your familiarity with tools like Catapult GPS and other monitoring systems. Discuss how you’ve used data to inform training programmes and improve player performance in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are essential for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex concepts related to athletic performance. Consider preparing a few key points or anecdotes that showcase your ability to convey information effectively to different audiences.