U18 Academy Physical Performance Coach

Term: Permanent

Department: Academy

Location: Trillion Trophy Training Centre, Redhill Road, Birmingham, B38 9EL

Salary: Competitive

Hours of Work: Hours are set to meet the needs of the business but are a minimum of 37.5 hours per week

Application closing date:04/05/2021 (Due to the urgency of filling this vacancy, suitable candidates will be interviewed as and when they apply and the role will be closed as soon as a suitable candidate has been sourced).

JOB DESCRIPTION

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate and promote the Academy culture creating an elite environment for the development of young players.
• Have consistently high standards.
• Communicate and engage with staff/players/parents/guardians where appropriate.
• Attend all club and departmental professional development events.
• Actively engage in a fully functioning competency framework and integrated appraisal process.
• Monitor the well-being of Academy players at all times liaising with the Safeguarding Services Manager.

ACADEMY PERFORMANCE COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

• To act as Lead Academy Sports Scientist.
• To be responsible for the delivery of the sports science programme for U18s.
• Design and delivery of activation/preparation/recovery sessions for individuals/groups/teams.
• To coordinate and complete physical testing as per the needs of the EPPP for all the u18s and oversee the schoolboy S&C programme.
• Delivery of rehabilitation sessions in conjunction with medical staff or as directed insuring modalities and loads are appropriate to the phase of training.
• Provide direction and support where needed for sports science & medical staff within the Academy to ensure program delivery is of a high standard.
• Support players in their understanding of lifestyle choices and in educating them on the role of sport science and S&C in supporting their performances.
• The assessment, monitoring, analysis and reporting on team and individual player physical and physiological information using relevant technologies & interventions.
• Fully utilizing The PMA & SharePoint systems – Analyse, store & monitor all relevant data, providing feedback to players/staff as relevant.
• Implement individual and group Strength & conditioning programmes using appropriate periodised plans, modalities, loading and injury minimisation strategies.
• To be responsible for the design and dissemination of the gym curriculum throughout the academy with specific responsibility for the U18s.
• Supporting the Sports Science & Medicine department with the design & implementation of Return to Play objective markers.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with the Head of Academy Sports Science & Medicine and other all Academy and First Team SS&M staff as appropriate.
• To liaise with other professionals as required (coaching/medical/administrative) to ensure a complete interdisciplinary support on service provision for players.
• Provide advice and support to staff and players as appropriate in areas of expertise.
• Deliver the performance programme to the highest standard possible, to the benefit of the individual, group or team.
• Use objective markers to identify areas that need physical development or facilitate improved performance.
• Have a working knowledge and assist schoolboy staff with “years from peak height velocity” and implement anthropometric strategies to estimate adult height.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of work conducted with athletes and coaches on the PMA & Sharepoint – To include monitoring of training loads and intensities through GPS and heart rate data, RPEs, wellbeing, hydration status, session content and session attendance, anthropometric data as well as on/off-field testing data.
• Review and update all academy staff on the performance (S&C and sports science) programme as necessary.
• Maintenance of a contemporary and appropriate database of all sport science/S&C information, which allows reporting on individuals/group/team information.
• Contribution to the player performance reviews within the PMA (5 weekly).
• Assist the Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine with developing the responsibilities of interns whilst evaluating & monitoring their performance.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide leadership and guidance to the multi-disciplinary team, players and parents.
• Conduct a 5-week review identifying appropriate areas of physical excellence and areas which need developing.
• Deliver practical activities across the phases to enhance best practice.
• Collation and dissemination of the physical data for each phase to guide physical target setting throughout the programme.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• To observe and guide junior members of staff and work placement students relevant to your role as academy Lead Academy Sports Scientist.
• Delivery of at least 3 internal professional development events.
• Assist in the development of BCFC SS&M research profile to enhance player care and staff development.
• Attend all club and departmental CPD events.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Sport Science or related discipline.
• FA Child Welfare qualification.
• FA Basic First Aid for Sport.
• Clear DBS check.

Desirable Requirements

• BASES Accreditation.
• MSc Sport Science.

Experience

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience within an elite sporting environment.
• Experience developing & delivering individual and group physical preparation and recovery strategies.
• Experience developing and delivering a LTAD plan.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential Requirements

• Understanding of injury minimisation strategies.
• Understanding of internal and external load monitoring, including GPS and heart rate monitoring.
• Excellent computer literacy, specifically in the use of Excel.
• Understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan and the PMA application.

Personal Requirements

• Uses initiative.
• Good communicator.

Terms of Appointment

• 37.5 hours per week.
• 20 days annual leave (rising by 1 day per completed year of service, up to a maximum of 25 days, plus 8 statutory bank holidays)
• 6-month probation period.

Special Conditions

• Flexibility with working hours required to meet demands of the role.
• Under the Disclosure and Barring Service and in accordance with the Club’s own rules regarding Safeguarding the post-holder will be required to meet minimum criteria regarding Safeguarding and a Disclosure and Barring Check will be required in this post. Exceptions Order to Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applies.

Only applicants that meet the above criteria will be considered for the role. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Birmingham City F C is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.