Pathway Coach in Stirling

Triathlon Scotland is looking to recruit a full-time Pathway Coach to play a central role in delivering the Triathlon Scotland Performance Pathway Strategy by developing athletes, coaches and performance environments across Scotland.

The primary aims are to strengthen the foundations of the Scottish Performance Pathway, increase the number of young athletes engaged in and inspired by performance triathlon, and create clear progression opportunities towards the National Triathlon Centre and ultimately the British Triathlon World Class Programme.

This role will lead the delivery of the Triathlon Scotland Academy programme while playing a key role in developing the wider Scottish performance pathway. Working collaboratively with clubs, coaches, the National Triathlon Centre, British Triathlon, the sportscotland Institute of Sport and other key partners, the Pathway Coach will deliver high-quality camps, training days, race support, coach development and educational initiatives. The role will support clubs and coaches to create strong development environments, strengthen connections across the pathway and help more young athletes develop and progress towards their potential.

This is achieved through:

• Supporting athlete development through high-quality Academy and Academy Gold camps, training days and race support opportunities.
• Supporting coaches and clubs to create high-quality development environments that enable athletes to thrive and reach their potential.
• Working collaboratively with the National triathlon Centre, sportscotland Institute of Sport, British Triathlon to develop high-quality educational resources.
• Help athletes, parents and coaches to understand the performance behaviours, standards and attributes required to succeed in high-performance triathlon

Key responsibilities

Performance Pathway

• Champion a positive, ambitious and inclusive culture across the Scottish Performance Pathway, supporting coherent athlete experiences across environments that develop greater athlete ownership, reflection and self-regulated learning skills, aligned with Triathlon Scotland's values and performance philosophy.
• Lead the design, planning and delivery of the Triathlon Scotland Academy programme, including high-quality camps, training days and race support that prepare athletes for progression through the performance pathway.
• Provide appropriate coaching support to Academy Gold athletes based on their individual needs and circumstances, ranging from collaboration co-coaching and oversight with an existing coach through to direct 1:1 coaching where required.
• Build strong relationships with athletes, coaches, parents and key partners to support athlete development and strengthen connections between daily training environments, the Academy and the wider performance pathway.
• Coordinate Academy activities and race support, including activity planning, travel, accommodation, logistics, athlete welfare and outline budgets, ensuring activities are delivered effectively and within agreed resources.

Coach Development & Education

• Work collaboratively with the Triathlon Scotland Coach Education Team and performance partners to identify coach development needs and provide mentoring, observation, feedback and learning opportunities for coaches working with pathway athletes.
• Develop and deliver educational workshops and practical resources (performance reference points) for coaches, athletes and parents, drawing on expertise from the National Triathlon Centre, sportscotland Institute of Sport and British Triathlon.
• Champion a consistent, evidence-informed approach to athlete development across Academy, regional and club environments.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the Triathlon Scotland Performance Strategy, ensuring Academy and regional pathway activity aligns with wider organisational priorities.
• Work collaboratively with British Triathlon, the University of Stirling, the sportscotland Institute of Sport and other key partners to strengthen the wider performance pathway.
• Contribute to athlete selection, programme planning and performance reviews, including facilitating regular athlete-led planning and review conversations with athletes and their coaches, alongside supporting strategic projects, funding applications and reporting as required.

Success Measures

• Creation of an ambitious, inclusive and enjoyable performance environment where athletes, coaches and clubs are supported to achieve their potential.
• Delivery of high-quality Academy camps, training days and race support that drive development and that are valued by athletes, coaches and parents.
• Strong collaboration with clubs, coaches and key partners to increase engagement and understanding of performance triathlon as well as strengthen regional pathway.
• Develop practical educational resources and workshops that improve understanding of the knowledge, behaviours and standards required to succeed in performance triathlon.
• More athletes progressing from clubs and regional activity into the Academy, National Triathlon Centre and ultimately the British Triathlon World Class

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience of leading coaching sessions with groups of young athletes in a performance triathlon and/or component discipline environment.
• Strong understanding of athlete development and the needs of developing young
• Experience working within a performance sport environment and contributing positively to a high-performance culture.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, planning and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Experience working within a performance sport environment and contributing positively to a high-performance culture.
• Experience planning and delivering camps, training days and race support activities.
• Strong understanding of the Triathlon Scotland and British Triathlon Performance Pathways.
• Experience working collaboratively with coaches, sport science, sports medicine and other multidisciplinary support staff.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish club and coaching landscape, including the important role clubs and coaches play in athlete development.
• Experience supporting and developing coaches, alongside planning and coordinating athlete development activities and associated resources/budgets.

Education/Qualifications/Skills

• British Triathlon Level 2/ Group Coach or a level 2 qualification in a component discipline (swim/bike/run)
• Full driving licence (subject to licence check in line with Triathlon Scotland's driving policy) and willingness to travel extensively across the UK
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and TrainingPeaks (or equivalent)
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain within an agreed timescale following appointment).
• Safeguarding and Protecting Children training (or willingness to complete within an agreed timescale following appointment).
• British Triathlon Level 3 / Personal Coach (or a willingness to work towards this at the earliest opportunity)
• Coach Developer qualification

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated coach who is passionate about developing people and creating opportunities for young athletes to thrive. The successful candidate will enjoy working collaboratively with clubs, coaches and partners across Scotland, bringing energy, innovation and a commitment to strengthening the Scottish performance pathway.

The individual

• Collaborative: Builds strong relationships and works effectively with athletes, coaches, clubs and partners.
• Innovative: Embraces new ideas and applies evidence-informed approaches to coaching and athlete development.
• Accountable: Takes ownership, delivers on commitments and maintains high professional standards.
• Adaptable: Responds positively to change and works effectively in a dynamic
• Ambitious: Continually strives to improve themselves, others and the quality of the performance pathway.

The role requires flexibility, including regular evening and weekend work and travel throughout the UK.

Triathlon Scotland is the national governing body for swim, bike, run in Scotland which encompasses triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon. We are one of the three home nations that comprise British Triathlon. Triathlon is one of the youngest and fastest growing sports in the world. Enjoying many formats from sprint distance through to extreme distances there is something for everyone, of any age, capability, or experience in triathlon.

We work in partnership with our club network to increase participation, develop volunteers and train coaches. We help to provide opportunities for racing through our events and affiliated events in Scotland.

We deliver a national performance pathway, ensuring Scottish athletes are fully supported to achieve their potential. We ensure Scottish athletes are best prepared to qualify and compete at Commonwealth and Olympic / Paralympic Games.

We work in partnership with the University of Stirling to enable the delivery of the National Triathlon Centre.

If you would like to have a confidential conversation on any aspects of the role or the recruitment process you can contact:

Paul Newnham, Head of Performance Pathways, Triathlon Scotland, paulnewnham@triathlonscotland.org

Status: Full time, permanent

Pension:6%

Holidays: 28 days annual leave

10 days public holidays

Location: Stirling, with travel as required