Job Description
About the Team:
The Player Development Team at SAFC, are dedicated to shaping young talent both on and off the pitch!
Our core mission is to provide a comprehensive education and development framework that empowers youth players to grow into skilled athletes and responsible individuals.
The Opportunity:
We’re looking for a passionate Player Care Intern to support our Academy players in their growth both on and off the pitch starting in August 2026 and completing in July 2027. In this role, you'll help deliver a comprehensive Life Skills and Wellbeing Programme, empowering young athletes to become self-sufficient while managing the unique demands of their football careers. You’ll promote the importance of developing identities beyond football, ensuring players grow holistically.
You'll build and maintain professional relationships with parents and host families, providing essential training and guidance to support the players' overall wellbeing. Working closely with the Academy Player Care Lead, you'll play an active role in safeguarding our players and ensuring their mental and emotional health is prioritised. Your contributions will also extend to assisting with player development plans and supporting transitions, helping players navigate their journey both during and after their time with us.
Your involvement in Player Voice and Parent feedback forums will ensure that all perspectives within our Academy are valued and acted upon. You will also be involved in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to support the player across all disciplines. If you’re excited about making a difference in young athletes' lives, we’d love to hear from you!
What We Ask For:
To thrive as our Academy Player Care Intern, you’ll need to be a dynamic individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should be well-versed in administrative tasks, work with autonomy and thrive in a team environment. To work within the Player Care team, you should be able to develop and maintain relationships with a range of staff and players.
To be successful, you will need to be in the process of completing an undergraduate degree or a master’s during your internship. Candidates completing a programme in Sports & Exercise Since, Community & Youth Work, Sports Management, Psychology or Sports Management would be ideal for this role, although previous experience working within an elite sporting environment alongside an alternative degree would also be considered.
Ideal candidates would have the ability to work 5 days a week, including weekends and evenings where required. If you can commit to a minimum of 3-4 days a week and would like to express interest, your application may be considered.
An Enhanced DBS from Sunderland AFC and a Full, Valid UK Driving license is required.
