An exciting job opportunity has arisen at Leeds United FC for a Part Time Foundation Phase Coach based at our fantastic Academy and Training Grounds located in Wetherby.

Elland Road has been the home of Leeds United since 1919 and remains one of English football's great theatres and is 'the only place for us' ever since. With a capacity of 37,890, it is England's 11th largest football ground in the Premier League.

Everyone at Leeds United is dedicated to working as one team and to be the best we can be.

Come be part of our fabulous team as we March on Together.

The Academy Coach is responsible for the delivery of coaching and player development activities within a specified age group in the Foundation Phase (Under 9 to Under 12).

SOME OF THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD INCLUDE:

• Planning, delivery and critical review of coaching and player development activities in the phase
• Collaborating with the Education and Player Care department to help deliver the hybrid education programme to players in the phase.
• Embedding the Academy Playing and Coaching Philosophy in the phase
• Delivering and developing the Academy coaching curriculum in the phase
• Effective communication of phase activities with internal and external stakeholders
• Supporting agreed decision making, handover and transition processes for registered players and trialists
• Liaising with parents
• Being an active member of the Coaching Department by helping to ensure strategic and operational objectives are delivered.
• Being an active member of the Foundation Phase multi-disciplinary team and Academy working groups to help drive player development & continuous improvement of process.
• Championing all club and Academy policy through modelling best practice in areas such as safeguarding, health and safety and equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Living the values of the club and championing our culture to help deliver the Academy Performance Plan and the vision of the Academy and the Club

SOME OF THE COACHING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD INCLUDE:

• Driving the coaching process to help provide a first-class holistic development experience for the players in an age group.
• Adopting and embedding the Academy Playing Philosophy in the age group
• Adhering to the delivery principles and standards as outlined in the Academy Coaching Philosophy
• Planning and delivering age-appropriate coaching that delivers the objectives of the coaching curriculum.
• Adapting coaching curriculum practice to meet the varying and evolving needs of individual players and the group.
• Monitoring and reviewing individual player progress against curriculum objectives
• Providing a first-class games programme experience for the players at all fixtures, tournaments and tours as required
• Developing age-appropriate game plans that link to coaching curriculum objectives.
• Utilising video feedback and other Performance Analysis tools to support the development of the players.
• Recording all player development activity and reviewing player performance on the club Performance Management Application (PMA)

SOME OF THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ACTIVITY & DEPARTMENT INTEGRATION RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD INCLUDE:

• Supporting the phase multi-disciplinary team to help plan, monitor and project each individual player’s progression on the pathway.
• Supporting the formulation of each player’s Individual Learning Plan by ensuring holistic needs are identified, objectives are set, and interventions/support is planned and agreed with the player.
• Ensuring planned interventions/support is delivered with the required multidisciplinary input and in the agreed timeframe.
• Ensuring each player’s progress is monitored, periodically reviewed, and then communicated to the player and key stakeholders in line with Academy protocol.
• Collaborating with the Pathways and Operations Department to deliver a first class trialist experience.
• Collaborating with the Performance Support Department to help coordinate, integrate, and deliver first-class performance support services to players in the phase.
• Support the delivery of education and player care programmes including mental and emotional well-being and life skills curriculum, and personal development plans to players in the phase.

SOME PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Being aware of innovative and emerging best practice through accessing internal and external sources of expertise, to help contribute to ongoing personal development and the overall Academy programme.
• Undertaking a bi-annual training needs analysis using the Coach Competency Framework to identify individual training and development needs.
• Contributing to an individualised coach Development Action Plan that outlines both formal and informal training needs and how these will be supported/met.
• Engaging in the Academy staff development programme and attending departmental CPD events
• Participating in external CPD events to ensure compliance with PL, EFL and NGB standards.
• Attending other Academy games as required, to ensure awareness of playing demands across the pathway

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• UEFA B Licence
• FA Youth Award
• FA BFAS certificate
• FA Safeguarding children certificate
• A clear DBS check & history
• UK Driving Licence

SOME DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS MAY INCLUDE:

• UEFA A Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• Academic qualifications relating to sport, teaching or child development

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

• Experience of coaching in an Academy
• Experience of working with
• Foundation Phase players
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team to support player development

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE MAY INCLUDE:

• Experience working in a Category 1 Academy

IDEAL KNOWLEDGE WE LIKE TEAM MEMBERS TO HAVE INCLUDE:

• Understands the current Academy system and professional football culture and landscape
• Possesses an applied knowledge of EPPP standards and working practices
• Understands the biological, psychological, and social characteristics and needs/wants of the players at each stage of the pathway
• Understands how a long-term, holistic development programme is structured
• Understands the key transitions faced by players at each stage of the pathway
• Understands the function of each facet in a multi-disciplinary team in an Academy
• Possesses knowledge of health and safety policy and best practice
• Possesses knowledge of safeguarding policy and best practice
• Possesses a strong awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion

IDEAL TECHNICAL SKILLS WE LOOK FOR IN TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE:

• Creates positive learning environments
• Plans and delivers challenging, age-appropriate coaching activities that are realistic to the demands of the game
• Identifies and responds to the needs of the players by adapting their coaching practice accordingly
• Demonstrates outstanding observation skills during training & games
• Uses accurate and age-appropriate technical and tactical content
• Identifies and manages positive and negative play effectively
• Demonstrates a range of coaching interventions
• Communicates using a variety of methods and using an age-appropriate vocabulary
• Able to justify and reflect on their coaching practice and beliefs
• Builds positive relationships with the players, staff, and all stakeholders
• Demonstrates outstanding listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Competent with modern technologies that support the performance of their duties
• Competent user of the Performance Management Application (PMA)

IDEAL BEHAVIOURS WE LOOK FOR IN TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE:

• Inspires others and is a positive role model
• Is personable and able to connect and build relationships with others easily
• Demands high standards and has an attention to detail
• Shares the vision and values of the Academy and is motivated to achieve its objectives
• Aligns with the Academy playing and coaching philosophy
• Takes a long-term view of player development and aligns with the Academy approach to winning
• Possesses a passion for talent development and is motivated to work with young players
• Able to work in a high-profile environment with regular media coverage and public interest
• Is aware of responsibilities relating to social media, including inappropriate communications and professional boundaries
• Is responsible and acts in the best interests of the Academy
• Is open minded, innovative, and willing to explore new ideas/concepts
• Enjoys facing challenges and has the resilience and resourcefulness to see complex tasks through
• Is proactive and able to identify and mitigate risks
• Is a collaborator and relishes the opportunity to work alongside others to overcome challenges and achieve goals
• Willing to share their knowledge, experience, and skills as part of a community of practice
• Able to work with players, staff and other stakeholders of varying ages, experience, backgrounds, and cultures
• Committed to personal development and continuous improvement
• Possesses a strong work ethic and is motivated to be the best they can be
• Able to promote the positive image of the Academy and the Club

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY:

As we are a diverse organisation that respects differences in race, ethnicity, religion or belief(s), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or with regards to pregnancy or maternity, we welcome all applications. We want everyone to feel valued and included in the football community and to achieve their full potential. Leeds United is opposed to any form of discrimination and commits itself to the redress of any inequalities by taking positive action where appropriate.

SAFEGUARDING & RECRUITMENT:

Leeds United FC are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expect all staff to share this commitment. All staff, whatever their role will receive safeguarding training and will be expected to champion the culture of 'safeguarding is everybody's responsibility'.