Job Description
Job purpose:
To lead the holistic development of all Academy goalkeepers, ensuring their
progression aligns with the Blackburn Rovers Academy Vision of developing
“top‑tier players and people” by Skill & Hard Work.
The role drives a goalkeeper pathway consistent with the Academy Performance
Plan’s 5 Pillars — IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, BUILD, ENABLE, PROTECT — ensuring GK
development contributes directly to the Club’s long‑term goal of becoming a
sustainable Premier League club with a leading academy
2. Duties and responsibilities:
Safeguarding & Welfare
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, embedding the Academy’s
commitment to psychological safety, trust and inclusion across all interactions
with players and families.
• Integrate weekly welfare check‑ins and ensure all concerns are reported
appropriately through MyConcern in line with the Academy’s Safeguarding
Strategy
• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all elite players,
promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
Programme Design & Implementation (Aligned to the APP Pillars)
Identify
• Contribute to the identification of high‑potential goalkeepers by aligning
goalkeeper profiles with Academy Player Profiles and the club’s
technical/physical benchmarks.
• Collaborate with Recruitment and Performance Analysis to integrate
video/data insights into GK ID and development planning.
Develop
• Implement, review and continuously enhance the Academy Goalkeeping
Programme to align with the coaching philosophy, EPPP expectations, and the
Academy Coaching Competency Framework.
• Co‑create and manage Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and Development
Action Plans (DAPs) for all goalkeepers, ensuring they are age‑appropriate,
aligned with the APP, and reviewed regularly.
• Lead CPD for GK staff, embedding reflective practice, evidence‑based coaching
and consistent session delivery standards.
Build
• Work collaboratively with Sports Science & Medicine to integrate physical
development principles (e.g., maturation monitoring, injury‑prevention
strategies, load management) into GK training plans.
• Use performance monitoring tools (GPS, wellness data, video analysis) to
inform planning for individual GKs.
Enable
• Foster a high‑challenge, high‑support environment that aligns with the
Academy’s education and player‑care frameworks, encouraging resilience,
independence, and continuous learning in goalkeepers.
• Support delivery of life‑skills, academic and personal‑development
programmes by embedding these principles into goalkeeper culture and
expectations.
Protect
• Ensure all GK activities are conducted with risk management and safety at the
forefront, following safeguarding and safe‑activity procedures embedded
within the APP.
Coaching Delivery & Operational Expectations
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate high‑quality GK coaching sessions that reflect the
Academy Coaching Programme and support the overall curriculum aims.
• Organise match‑day goalkeeping operations across all phases.
• Ensure all coaching content, session uploads, feedback, video clips and
performance reviews are completed accurately and on time using relevant
digital systems.
Communication & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Lead weekly goalkeeper MDT discussions aligned with the AMT/SMT reporting
structure to ensure transparent communication on player progress, well‑being,
and programme delivery.
• Collaborate with outfield coaches to integrate GK development needs into
team‑training environments and match preparation.
• Liaise with the First Team Goalkeeping Department to align pathway
expectations and ensure continuity of coaching principles.
Leadership & Management
• Line-manage all Academy GK coaching staff, ensuring they follow APP‑aligned
coaching and safeguarding standards.
• Conduct appraisals, performance reviews, support DAP creation and ensure all
staff engage with CPD and competency frameworks.
• Drive innovation across the GK programme by integrating new methodologies,
technologies and evidence-based practices.
Additional Duties
• Attend all relevant meetings across the Academy programme.
• Undertake personal development opportunities including club visits, CPD
events and internal workshops.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Head of Academy
Coach Development, Head of Academy or Head of First Team Goalkeeping.
3. Skills required:
• Strong leadership and management capability, aligned with the Academy’s
expectations for staff development and competency frameworks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary model, contributing to
shared departmental goals.
• Analytical skills and competency in using performance data, video tools and
digital systems.
• Capacity for independent work, problem solving, innovation and meeting tight
deadlines.
• High levels of professionalism, confidentiality and reflective practice.
4. Knowledge required:
• Strong understanding of Academy legislation, safeguarding procedures and
EPPP frameworks.
• Knowledge of the Academy Vision, the 5 APP Pillars and how they shape daily
coaching and long-term development strategies.
• Deep understanding of GK development across Foundation, YDP and PDP
phases.
• Familiarity with physical development, S&C and medical principles relevant to
modern goalkeeping.
• Knowledge of the multidisciplinary model and collaborative practices expected
within the Academy structure.
5. Qualifications required:
• GK UEFA A;
• FA AYA (desirable);
• Outfield UEFA B Licence;
• Youth Modules 1-3;
• FA Safeguarding; and
• EFAiF (Level 2 First Aid)
DBS check required: Yes (Enhanced)
