Academy Lead Sports Scientist

Job Title: Academy Lead Sports Scientist
Reports to: Academy Director
Location: Blackpool FC Academy and other Club, school and partner venues as
required
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Who we are:

Blackpool Football Club is an English Professional Association Football Club based in the
seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire.

The Club was founded in 1887 and has a very storied history, from being a founding
member of the Lancashire League in 1889, rising to the top flight of the Football League (the
old First Division) in 1930, to winning the FA Cup in 1953 and being promoted to the
Premier League in 2010 (becoming the first Club to gain promotion from every division of
the Football League via the play-off system).

The Club currently competes in League One, the third tier of the English Football League.

The Club has played its home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901.

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Academy Director, the Academy Lead Sports Scientist is responsible for
leading and managing the Academy Sports Science Department and overseeing the
planning, delivery and evaluation of sports science provision across the Foundation, Youth
Development and Professional Development Phases.

The postholder will design and deliver age appropriate, evidence based physical
development programmes, monitor player performance and development and provide
clear, practical information to support coaching and multidisciplinary decision making. The
role combines departmental leadership with hands on delivery, ensuring physical
development provision supports the needs and progression of individual players.

Working closely with the Head of Academy Medical Services, Lead Professional
Development Phase Coach, Academy coaching staff and First Team Sports Science staff, the
postholder will help coordinate physical development, training demands and rehabilitation
support. They will promote The Blackpool Way by placing player welfare, individual
development and high professional standards at the heart of their work.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership & Programme Development

• Lead and manage the Academy Sports Science Department, setting departmental
priorities and ensuring consistent, high quality and individualised athletic
development provision across all Academy phases.
• Report to the Academy Director on departmental activity, programme delivery,
player development outcomes and areas for improvement.
• Manage, support and develop Sports Science staff, providing guidance, feedback and
opportunities for professional development.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of an effective university internship
programme, supporting the development of students and interns within the
Academy environment.
• Lead pre-season physical preparation planning and develop individual off-season
programmes, monitoring player progress and providing guidance where appropriate.
• Work with coaching and multidisciplinary colleagues to establish age-appropriate
physical benchmarks and an athletic development pathway aligned with the Club’s
philosophy and player development objectives.
• Provide relevant professional development opportunities for Academy coaches and
maintain the postholder’s own continuing professional development.

Physical Performance & Player Development

• Plan, deliver and evaluate evidence based on field athletic development sessions and
gym-based programmes appropriate to players’ ages, development stages and
individual needs.
• Design and oversee individual gym programmes for Professional Development Phase
players and contribute to Individual Learning Programmes across the Academy.
• Plan and deliver physical testing across Academy age groups on an agreed six-week
cycle, coordinating with First Team Sports Science staff where appropriate.
• Conduct appropriate physical testing of Academy trialists and provide relevant
information to support player assessment and recruitment decisions.
• Work closely with the medical department to support rehabilitation, the transition
back to training and appropriate strategies to reduce injury risk, within agreed
professional responsibilities.
• Adapt physical development programmes in response to player progress, testing
outcomes, training demands and individual requirements.

Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting

• Collect and review daily player wellbeing information and use relevant findings to
inform training planning and individual player support.
• Produce daily GPS reports, monitor training loads and identify relevant trends,
communicating clear and actionable information to coaching, medical and other
appropriate staff.
• Record session plans, testing results and player development information accurately
within the Performance Management Application (PMA).
• Prepare clear physical testing and performance reports for player progression
meetings and complete agreed follow up actions.
• Advise coaching staff on training design, including pitch area sizes and session
demands, to help align physical objectives with the aims of each training session.
• Maintain accurate, timely and appropriate records to support player development,
departmental planning and Academy reporting requirements.

Collaboration, Education & Standards

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Academy Medical Services, Lead Professional
Development Phase Coach, Academy coaches, analysts and First Team Sports
Science staff to align physical development programmes and training demands with
player development priorities.
• Deliver appropriate education sessions and workshops for players, parents and
carers, and staff on topics including nutrition, recovery and the physical
development of young athletes.
• Explain the purpose and expectations of physical programmes clearly to players,
staff and parents or carers, adapting communication to the needs of the audience.
• Maintain sports science equipment and ensure it is stored, maintained and used
safely and appropriately.
• Support Academy Performance Plan and Professional Game Academy Audit
Company (PGAAC) audit processes by maintaining and providing relevant evidence,
records and information.
• Keep up to date with relevant sports science research, methods and good practice,
considering their appropriate application within the Academy environment.

Safeguarding, Welfare & Professional Standards

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with
Club safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Recognise and promptly report safeguarding, welfare or other concerns in
accordance with Club procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with players, parents
and carers, and external organisations.
• Handle sensitive player and performance information confidentially and share
information only where appropriate and in accordance with Club procedures.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion and contribute to an Academy
environment in which players, families and colleagues are treated fairly, with dignity
and respect.
• Comply with Club policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding,
health and safety, data protection, confidentiality, equality, diversity and inclusion,
and safer working practices.

General Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold the values, culture and behaviours of Blackpool Football Club.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Academy and wider Club to support
the effective delivery of Academy objectives.
• Represent Blackpool Football Club professionally at external meetings, events,
education settings and partner organisations.
• Complete all mandatory training and maintain appropriate professional
development relevant to the role.
• Work flexibly to meet the operational needs of the Academy, including evenings and
weekends as required.
• Travel between Academy, school, accommodation and other Club or partner
locations as required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role as requested by
the Academy Director or Academy leadership.

Safeguarding and Pre-Employment Checks

The postholder has a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and
young people and must report any safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly in
accordance with Blackpool Football Club’s safeguarding procedures.

Appointment to this role will be subject to the Club’s safer recruitment process and
satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an appropriate DBS check, references and
confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK.

The postholder is expected to support the Club’s commitment to equality, diversity and
inclusion and to work in accordance with relevant Club policies and procedures.

The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may
vary over time in line with the changing needs of the Club. The job description may be
reviewed periodically to reflect changes in legislation, football regulations, Academy
structure or operational requirements