Player Care and Education Lead - BCWFC Academy

REPORTS TO: Academy Manager

LOCATIONS: SGS WISE Campus, New Rd, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8LP

Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ

Robins HPC, Clevedon Road, Failand, Bristol, BS8 3TN

CONTRACT TYPE: 37.5 hours per week

Overview:

We are looking for a committed, exceptional person to join us as the Player Care & Education Lead within our team:

Key Responsibilities

Player Care

• Support the development and implementation of a holistic approach to player care and athlete development within the Professional Game Academy.
• Play a leading role in the oversight and case by case management of player support, including liaising with appropriate staff to provide effective care to assist with the induction and transition for all players.
• Manage Academy after-care programme alongside appropriate Club staff, providing transitioning players with employment and wellbeing support where needed.
• Liaise with First Team staff to support the wellbeing of transitioning players from the Academy.
• Be a key member of the club Safeguarding Team, ensuring safeguarding practices are applied and followed properly within the academy environment.

Education

• Foster and build relationships with schools, colleges or places of work attended by players throughout the academy and monitor player academic/professional development.
• For those in academia, ensure there is appropriate tracking of player grades and attendance.
• In partnership with Loughborough College, oversee planning and delivery of the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) through online and in-person delivery for club learners.

Personal and Professional Development

• Lead on the delivery of Personal Development Plans for all PGA players.
• Aid technical staff in Technical Individual Development Plans.
• Implement and deliver a Life Skills Programme for players and parent-carers within the academy, including workshops, in line with the Personal Development Curriculum.

Player & Parent-Carer Engagement

• Oversee the delivery of the Player Voice and Parent-Care Voice groups, facilitating opportunity for feedback each season.
• Work with the Football Association (FA) to nominate and support national Parent-Carer Representatives.
• Enable regular channels of communication with Players and Parent-Carers to share regular updates, successes and changes within the Academy.

Other

• Be the Lead for all Player Care & Education criteria within the PGAAC Audit and ensure the Academy adheres to or exceeds FA PGA license requirements.
• Be a champion for a person-centred approach to athlete development.
• Be an advocate and guardian of the women’s game.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• Qualification at degree level or above relating to Sports Psychology, Sports Management, Sports Science or similar
• FA Safeguarding Award
• FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid
• Experience working with elite dual-career athletes in a sport or educational setting
• Experience working with young people or children
• Sound level of understanding of Safeguarding practices with young children and vulnerable adults
• Full driving license and vehicle

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Experience working within a Professional Game Academy supporting elite female athletes with a strong understanding of the women’s professional game
• Relevant qualification in Player Care, Athlete Lifestyle, Performance Lifestyle or Mentoring and Coaching
• Experience using sports club platforms including MyConcern, Kitman Labs and Spond
• Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)

How to Apply

Applications are to be sent by email to careers@bcfc.co.uk. Applications should include a covering letter (max. 1 page) on the experience you have that makes you suitable for the role and should be accompanied by a current CV (max. 2 pages).

Closing date: Thursday 12th December at 5pm

We usually receive a high volume of applications for our roles. Therefore if you have not received a response after one month of applying, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Safeguarding Statement:

Bristol City Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

Note: This post requires Enhanced Criminal Records Checks and may include checks against the Barred Lists, as such it is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore, all convictions including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared.

Relevant information and / or documents will be distributed as part of the recruitment process.

Equality Statement:

The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

EFL BAME Declaration

The EFL (English Football League) has introduced positive action measures aimed at tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethic (BAME) backgrounds. Regulations require clubs to shortlist at least one suitably qualified BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for all roles in Academy football that require a UEFA A or UEFA B Licence.