Lead Foundation Phase Coach

Job title

Lead Foundation Phase Coach

Reports to

Academy Manager and Head of Coaching

Key contacts

Internal – Academy Manager, Head of Coaching, Multi-Disciplinary Team, Lead Phase Coaches, Coaches, players, parents.

External – Other Football League and Premier League clubs and staff, local FA, grass roots clubs, schools, partner organisations, FAYCD.

Location

Based primarily at our training location at the Graham Solley Sports Development Centre and AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Other travel will be required to meet the demands of the role.

Salary

£26,973.68

Purpose of the role

Working closely with the Academy Manager, the Head of Coaching, and all other key contacts, the post-holder will manage the logistical and operational delivery of the Youth Development Phase in line with the club’s Academy Philosophy and the Academy Performance Plan, and take lead responsibility for ensuring the core KPI’s of the phase and EPPP are effectively delivered, measured, assessed, and achieved.

In addition, the role requires the candidate to regularly coach the players and teams within the phase as well as achieving key recruitment targets.

Main roles and responsibilities

Coaching

• ·       Work with the Head of Coaching to design and implement an age specific coaching curriculum in line with the academy playing and coaching philosophy ensuring the effective planning, delivery, and evaluation of every coaching session on the PMA for the phase, in accordance with EPPP.
• ·       Support and motivate the part time coaches within the phase to deliver the coaching curriculum and academy philosophy and push high standards at all times
• ·       Manage and coach a selected age group within the phase, delivering the curriculum and philosophy, and when required by the Head of Coaching, coach other teams/players.
• ·       Work with the Head of Coaching and age group coaches with the identification, co-ordination, and delivery of individual development plans for all players within the phase.
• ·       Contribute to the building of a library of academy best practice sessions mirroring the philosophy.
• ·       Work towards own Coach Development Action Plan (CDAP) agreed between you and the Head of Coaching in line with the Coach Competency Framework (CCF).

Management, communication and organisation

• ·       Lead on, coordinate, and manage the daily logistical operation of the phase i.e. deal with and arrange training, fixtures, and additional fixtures to meet player needs; manage the inventory and distribution of kit and equipment; deal with match officials; communicate with players and parents, and so on.
• ·       Work closely with the Academy Manager, Head of Coaching, and other key staff to support your daily tasks and the multi-disciplinary development of every player in the phase across the 4 corners by developing, delivering, recording, and reviewing Individual Learning Plans.
• ·       Communicate and agree with age group coaches on the selected squads and teams each week.
• ·       Be part of, and contribute/report to the Academy Management Team as well as providing reports and attending any meetings as required by the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.
• ·       Communicate and reinforce the academy playing and coaching philosophy to coaches, players, and parents.
• ·       Take a multi-disciplinary approach in coordinating the day release programme.
• ·       Be first point of contact for any queries from parents and manage expectations of both players and parents.

Reporting and reviews

• ·       Work with the Head of Coaching to take a multi-disciplinary approach to the review process by organising and conducting all player reviews required for the phase as well as planning, delivering, and reviewing all coaching sessions, games/game time, whilst maintaining and monitoring all data related to this including learning objectives, progress, and other work as required on the PMA system.
• ·       To monitor & manage the PMA data entry of all coaches and players within the phase.
• ·       Link player performance reviews to the learning outcomes of the academy coaching programme and effectively present these during player/parent review meetings (formal and informal) and as per club and EPPP guidelines.
• ·       Work closely with the Head of Coaching to manage the player development process contributing and reporting on performance, progression, ILP’s, transition between age groups, and multi-disciplinary reviews.

Recruitment and other key responsibilities

• ·       Drive the trialist process once it has been agreed a player is to enter on trial.
• ·       Take an energetic, purposeful, and measurable approach to player recruitment.
• ·       Manage and drive player signings and releases appropriately and professionally as well as presenting all retain/release information to the Academy manager and Academy Secretary as required and in line with EFL rules and deadlines.
• ·       Continually challenge and look to enhance the academy environment through new ideas.
• ·       Support the culture, and represent the club in the best possible light at all times.
• ·       Attend and contribute (when required) to all CPD as instructed by the Head of Coaching.
• ·       Adheres to the club Code of Conduct at all times and understand and adheres to the Club’s safeguarding procedures.
• ·       Carry out any other duties as directed by the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.

Important information

The above-mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

Personal specifications

Qualifications (essential)

• ·       UEFA ‘B’ License
• ·       FA Youth Award (assessed)
• ·       Basic First Aid in Football (BFAS) OR Emergency First Aid
• ·       Up to date FA DBS and Safeguarding Certificate
• ·       Fully Licensed FA Coach

Qualifications (desirable)

• ·       UEFA ‘A’ Licence (or currently working towards)
• ·       FA Advanced Youth Award (or currently working towards and specific to that phase)
• ·       Educated to degree level in a related subject
• ·       Emergency First Aid in Football Level 2 (EFAIF)
• ·       FA Talent ID Qualification

Skills, knowledge and experience (essential)

• ·       A minimum of 2 years working with elite players or within professional football (preferably in the youth development phase)
• ·       Able to demonstrate a high level of coaching ability working with individuals, units and teams.
• ·       Able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of FA and Premier League EPPP rules regarding Academies
• ·       Experience of using the PMA system
• ·       Experience of planning a coaching syllabus and ILP’s to meet the needs of players in an academy or other elite football environment
• ·       IT literacy and proficiency in creating presentations, writing reports and emails
• ·       Show a track record of communicating and working with, motivating, and inspiring a multi-disciplinary team of staff
• ·       Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate to all stakeholders on a variety of levels
• ·       Strong organisational skills demonstrating experience of managing large and varied workloads and tasks whilst maintaining attention to detail
• ·       Can show an excellent understanding of child protection, and exemplify the standards of behaviour and codes of conduct required within the Academy

Skills, knowledge and experience (desirable)

• ·       Experience of working full time in an academy environment
• ·       Experience in talent identification and recruitment of players
• ·       Experience of the academy audit process

Personal qualities (essential)

• ·       Committed to working to and promoting the philosophy of the football club and to promoting and displaying high standards of excellence in maintaining a positive learning environment
• ·       Show a clear ‘Growth Mindset’ and capability and comfortability of being able to challenge and be challenged to deliver an elite programme in a high pressured environment with high levels of accountability
• ·       Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and ambitious in the development of a positive and progressive elite learning environment
• ·       Is receptive to feedback about own behaviour, strengths and areas for improvement
• ·       Good attendance record in current/previous employment, (not including any absences resulting from disability)
• ·       Must hold a valid driver’s licence and be able to travel extensively, as required
• ·       Ability and willingness to work outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends, often with short notice