U9 - 16 Academy Physiotherapist

In this role, you will be responsible for delivering physiotherapy services across all Academy squads within an interdisciplinary framework, while supporting the development and implementation of injury‑prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed to maximise player performance, enhance recovery, and reduce injury risk. Additionally, you will contribute to the effective transition of FP and YDP players into the PDP programme and ultimately towards the First Team.

The u9 – 16 Academy Physiotherapist must: 

• Experience of working within sport.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• BSc degree in Physiotherapy
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registered
• Able to work as part of team
• Flexible, enthusiastic, reliable & organised

• Experience and understanding of paediatric sports medicine
• Experience of working within a football academy.
• FA safeguarding certification
• Working towards MSc

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the responsibilities of the role: 

• Work with Academy medical staff in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of all injuries sustained within the Academy predominately within the FP & YDP phase.
• Support delivery of sessions to players within PDP phase as required.
• To liaise with the sports scientist, nutritionist, sports therapist, psychologists and other members of the medical team, regarding player performance, assessment and rehabilitation of injury and return to play.
• To liaise and co-ordinate the with the appropriate people (including parents) to facilitate external medical management (NHS or Private Healthcare) of all players in FP & YDP phase.
• To carry out regular comprehensive screening of all Academy players and use findings to identify injury prevention priorities and devise individual prevention/performance programmes alongside S&C team member.
• To liaise with coaching staff regarding load management of players during phases of physical development.
• Deliver individual and group injury prevention exercise sessions for the Academy squads based on their individual needs.
• Design and implement injury rehabilitation programmes for Academy players, including objective markers for return to play for all players in FP & YDP.
• Match day medical provision for U16’s, U9-15’s and PDP games as required.
• To support the transition of FP & YDP players into the PDP phase co-ordinating with relevant staff on the players previous medical and movement history.
• Keep accurate up to date records of all injuries sustained by players as well as all treatment, prevention and rehabilitation sessions and record them on the club medical database.
• Collate and analyse Injury Audit data and present to medical team/coaching staff.
• When required, accompany players to and from consultations with surgeons or specialists, scans or other medical appointments.
• Co-ordinate cohort of part time staff working within the U9-16’s for all match day cover, overseas and premier league tournaments.
• Maintain excellent communication and inter-departmental collaboration with all other facets of the Academy to ensure that the standards expected through the EPPP are upheld at all times
• Participate and deliver CPD sessions within the team, contributing to the research and development aspect of paediatric sports medicine within FFC’s elite development programme.
• Undertake training and development courses to keep up to date with current research and developments in sports medicine and progress through stages of personal progression.