Youth Development Phase Physical Performance Coach

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Department: Academy Sports Science and Medicine

Reporting to: Head of Academy Performance & Medical

Closing Date For Applications: 25th August

About the Role:

Nottingham Forest Academy has a clear aim of building on its excellent history and strong back story with the following vision ‘develop a world-class Academy which develops players of Premier League and International Standard. Recognised as a genuine EPPP Category One Academy differentiated by ‘emotion’ and ‘innovation’, this post will be held by an exceptional leader to continue our journey and further develop the excellent young players, people, strategy and methodology we have in place.

This post is expected to optimise the availability and athletic development of Academy players through the provision, monitoring and passionate delivery of an evidence based physical development programme in line with the Nottingham Forest Football Club Academy vision and performance strategy. As part of an MDT, work directly with the U13s to U16s squads regarding all aspects of Sports Science and Performance on a day-to-day basis, exceeding the requirements of a Category 1 Academy as determined by EPPP.

The Perks of the Job:

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Access to high street and gym discounts.

• Discount within our Club shop.

• Free on-site parking.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide professional and world leading physical performance support for all registered

• Academy players including individual programmes and long-term athletic development plans in line with the club’s Performance curriculum.

• Manage and lead the athletic development programme for the YDP Full-time Training model players in line with the Performance Department strategy.

• Use appropriate databases to monitor and manage player loading, working closely with the multi-disciplinary team to individualise player plans.

• Ensure testing and monitoring practices are consistently implemented and evaluated to inform practice.

• Assist in Talent Identification protocols and contribute to the trialling procedures and testing for potential academy players.

• Educate staff to ensure the maintenance of age specific best practice including the provision of in-service training and appropriate CPD.

• Provide age-specific performance education seminars to players and parents/guardians at appropriate times during the season to educate on key high-performance topics (e.g. maturation, fitness and dietary matters).

• Manage gym, rehab and pre-activation areas in co-operation with other Performance team members.

• Monitor player growth and maturation and implement appropriate strategies to aid player development and maximise availability.

• To liaise with the nutritionist and catering department to ensure all nutritional needs for training and match days are met.

• To contribute to player reviews and audits to assess performance and potential.

• To participate in key topics of research to provide clinical based evidence for current and new Performance practices.

• To provide performance support where appropriate at home/away matches.

• Work in collaboration with the Professional Development phase to ensure appropriate alignment and transitions for future scholars.

• Assist where appropriate other members of the Performance and Medical departments across all NFFC squads and teams.

• In conjunction with the medical department, develop age-related prehab and rehab protocols to minimise injury risk and maximise player availability.

• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as required, demonstrating progress and outcomes against the Academy strategy.

• Any other appropriate duties as required by the Academy management team.

• Responsible for both individual health & safety and that of those who you are responsible for.

• Ensure the relationship with children and adults at risk is appropriate and language, behaviour and demeanour is suitable. The Company will expect you to undertake training to ensure an understanding of best practice in relation to children and/or adults at risk.

• You will be responsible for the welfare of children in your care.

What are we looking for:

• At least two years’ experience in the provision of Performance services to elite athletes.

• Experience in paediatric physical development.

• Awareness of maturation monitoring and growth-related injuries, with an understanding of how to apply interventions to manage these.

• Worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Knowledge of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) and associated audit process.

• Ambitious and driven with a hunger to own and develop an exciting project.

• Excellent knowledge of development processes and modern performance services.

• Given the nature of role the individual must be able to deal with sensitive information in a very private and confidential way and must be a team member that people can trust.

• Creative presentation and delivery skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with an adaptability to work with members of staff across departments.

• Ability to work under pressure and willing to work unsociable hours.

• Dedicated to self-improvement and personal development in a very creative way.

• Organised, methodical and logical approach to work but with a creative spark.

• High level I.T. and presentation skills.

• Positive and high energy outlook with an ability to influence and motivate.

• Ability to accurately measure and monitor essential physical components with elite youth athletes using a range of applied technologies.

• Provide accurate and informative written and verbal reports to a range of key stakeholders.

• Managing and developing databases to inform the above.

• Coach youth athletes across a range of fundamental movements and multi-sport activities.

• Exhibit age-appropriate communication techniques.

• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Ability to navigate through courageous and challenging conversations.

• Innovative and creative with the ability to think outside the box.

• BSc in Sports Science or equivalent.

• UKSCA or equivalent (or ability to obtain within 6 months).

• CASES accreditation / Currently undergoing supervised experience (or ability to submit application within 6 months)

• Valid Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification.

• Valid FA Safeguarding Certificate.

• Enhanced DBS Check.

• Safeguarding Children Certificate.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working within the support staff of a professional sports club.

• An understanding of basic sports nutrition for youth athletes.

• Research and development experience in Strength and Conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation.

• A postgraduate degree in sports science (or another relevant discipline).

• Football coaching qualifications

• Experience in health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post

• Flair for building internal and external networks, productive relationships to share information and ideas, improving working practices

Forest For Everyone

We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates our differences, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential and eliminate discrimination.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is a signatory of the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code. We are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we Invite all applicants to provide diversity data during the application process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer.  We encourage applications from people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.  If you need disability-related adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the  Equality Act 2010 , you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the  Disability Confident Scheme - please indicate this in your application form below.  The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.