Academy Lead Sports ScientistBlackpool FC

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.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements Desirable Requirement

Qualifications • BSc in Sports Science, Sport and • Master’s degree or postgraduate Exercise Science or a closely qualification in a relevant discipline. related discipline relevant to the • BASES accreditation and/or UKSCA role. accreditation.

• FA Emergency First Aid in Football and relevant FA safeguarding qualifications, or a willingness to obtain the required qualifications within an agreed timeframe.

Experience • Experience working in a high- • Experience working within a performance or elite sporting professional football academy or environment. comparable elite youth development

• Experience planning, environment. coordinating or leading a sports • Experience contributing to player science programme, project or progression, recruitment or area of provision. multidisciplinary review processes.
• Experience designing and • Experience supervising, managing or delivering athletic development developing Sports Science staff, programmes across different age students or interns. groups or stages of physical development.
• Experience conducting physical testing, monitoring player performance and using results to inform individual development.
• Experience using GPS or other performance-monitoring data to assess training demands and communicate findings.
• Experience working collaboratively with coaches, medical professionals and other members of a multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge & Skills • Knowledge of programming, • Knowledge of relevant Academy periodisation and athletic performance standards, audit development across different age requirements and the Professional groups and stages of maturation. Game Academy Audit Company

• Ability to design, deliver and process. evaluate field-based and gym- • Experience using physical testing based physical development equipment such as NordBord, programmes that support ForceDecks and timing gates, and performance and appropriate applying the results to player injury risk reduction. development.
• Knowledge of physical testing • Experience using the Performance methods, with the ability to Management Application (PMA) or record and analyse results comparable performance-accurately and use findings to management systems. inform player development.
• Knowledge of GPS monitoring, workload management and the ability to interpret and communicate relevant training-load information.
• Knowledge of appropriate nutrition, recovery and lifestyle strategies for young athletes, including the ability to communicate these appropriately.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to turn performance data into clear, practical recommendations for coaches and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Ability to communicate performance data and physical development recommendations clearly to coaches, players and parents or carers.
• Excellent communication, organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Confidence using relevant performance-management software and digital systems, including accurate record-keeping.
• A valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel between Academy, school, accommodation and other Club or partner locations as required..

Personal Qualities • Player-centred, empathetic and approachable, with a commitment to supporting young people to develop on and off the pitch.

• High levels of integrity, discretion, emotional intelligence and professional judgement.
• Proactive, collaborative and solution-focused, with the resilience to manage competing priorities and challenging situations.
• Committed to player welfare, safeguarding and creating an environment where players and families feel able to raise concerns.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to treating players, families and colleagues fairly and respectfully.
• Positive and professional, with the ability to build effective relationships and communicate confidently with a range of people.
• Committed to continuing professional development, reflective practice and the ongoing improvement of sports science provision.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends as required.

Safeguarding

Blackpool Football Club Ltd and the EFL are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment procedures, appropriate criminal record checks will be undertaken where required for the role. Where applicable, this may include checks against the relevant DBS Barred Lists. Where a role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, applicants will be required to declare relevant convictions, including spent convictions that have not been filtered in accordance with current DBS filtering rules.

Recruitment Checks

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to provide details of two referees covering your previous five years of employment, or referees from your period of full-time education where applicable.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory recruitment checks, including references and any other checks applicable to the role.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Blackpool Football Club is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the Club's policies and procedures and to promote positive working relationships with colleagues, supporters, partners and all other internal and external stakeholders.

Employees must treat others fairly and with respect and must not engage in or support any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment.

Inclusion & Anti-Discrimination

At Blackpool Football Club, we aim to provide an enjoyable and welcoming experience for all supporters and place inclusion and anti-discrimination at the core of our values.

We are committed to creating an environment that welcomes and respects people from all communities and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion across Bloomfield Road and all associated Club premises.

We recognise the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We are committed to actively promoting inclusion, challenging discrimination and creating an environment where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.