Academy Head of Sports Science

About The Role

Summary:

• Assist the academy sports science & medicine department in making sure all the department needs are met as outlined in the Academy Performance Plan (APP)
• Implement the academy sports science programme that focuses on the athletic development of all Academy aged players (U9-U18), including individual athletic developments of the youth team.
• Lead the academy sports science & Medicine department in performing testing for all academy age groups (U9-U18)
• Assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the U18s, and assist / lead match day preparations where required.

Job responsibilities:

• Report daily to academy manager and wider team and contribute to the football department meetings
• Assist with the monitoring of the wellbeing and workload of the professional development Phase (U18) alongside academy manager and head of medical.
• Take the lead in planningand the implementation of the athletic development programmes for all academy aged players (U9-U16); working close with the academy medical staff.
• Monitoring the recording of anthropometric/physiological data for academy aged players (U9-U16), and using this to forecast/monitor maturation; and complete physical testing with U9-U16s regularly across the season.Assist with the physical testing of the professional development phase.
• Planning and leading the implementation of individual and/or group strength and conditioning sessions for all academy ages (U9-U18)
• Collaborate with the Lead Professional Development Phase (U18), Lead Youth Development Phase (U13-U16) and Lead Foundation Phase (U9-U12) Coaches to organise training schedules, testing, session plans and intensity of sessions.
• Work closely with club physiotherapy and medical staff to provide specific physical development training sessions for injured Academy players (U9-U16) and assist with the Youth Team (U18) where required.
• Provide athletic development profiles for all academy players (U9-U16) and Youth Team (U18) players.
• Analyse GPS data, and report findings to monitor loading of the Professional Development Phase (U18)

About The Candidate

Requirements:

• BSc (Hons) Sports Science
• 1 year experience post-graduate working in sport
• Evidence of working within youth athletic development
• Dedication to self-improvement and continuing professional development
• Experience in testing/monitoring maturation in young athletes
• Excellent organisational skills, and an ability to correctly manage data
• Able to be flexible with their working week to cope with the demands of the role

Desirable:

• Hold or working towards an MSc Level Qualification
• Strength/Conditioning qualification or Sports Rehabilitation qualification
• Level 3 Sports Massage Diploma
• Previous experience of APP and Kit Man Labs
• Experience or an interest in Sports Nutrition
• Experience in using and monitoring GPS data