The successful candidate will work with Academy coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, safeguarding team and other support staff to deliver an interdisciplinary approach to sports performance psychology.

You will be responsible for assisting the Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine in the development of and be responsible for the delivery of the Psychology programme to all players and Parents within the Academy with a focus on the U15-U21 age groups.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Reading Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships

Safeguarding Statement

Reading Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of children and young people engaged in club activities must take priority over all other considerations.  Due to this post being in regulated activity, the potential employee will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. It is a criminal offence for a barred person to attempt to engage with vulnerable group.  Engagement will be subject to sight of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and stringent background and reference checks

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• To assist the Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine in the development of a high-level Academy Sports Psychology Program to maximise the psychological development, wellbeing and performance of all academy players.

• To deliver the Academy Sports Psychology Program in workshops, 1-1s, meetings aiming to surpass the EPPP category 1 requirements and in line with RFC values and philosophy, within the Academy.

• To work closely with and support part time academy Psychologist with delivering the Academy Sports Psychology Program to all academy players.

• To deliver workshops as part of the development syllabus to players, parents, coaches and other MDT members, predominately but not exclusively within the U15-U21 age groups.

• To deliver, implement and analyse the RFC psychology profiling tool.

• To develop strong relationships and work closely with all relevant coaching, MDT staff and academy management.

• To provide weekly contact with all U15-U21 squads, including transiting players into the 1^st team environment and players on loan.

• To be deliver sports performance coaching in the games program by attending U15-U21 games, including travelling with the team on away games on occasions, including overnight trips.

• To support released players during their transition out of the club as part of the clubs exit strategy.

• To work closely with Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine and Academy Manager to drive and promote an Elite Learning Environment for all players.

• To contribute and support coaching staff with Learning Development Plans and 6 / 12 week reviews, via attending MDT discussion meetings and inputting required information into reviews, focusing on U15-U21 players in the Academy and assisting PT academy Psychologist with U9-U14 players.

• To develop and maintain tracking of individual player development (focusing on the U15-U21 players), as well as promoting welfare and well-being of the players.

• To maintain up to date records and reviews on the club performance Management Application in conjunction with EPPP/ Premier League Requirements and Regulations and ensuring compliance with regulatory authorities as demanded by Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine and Academy Manager.

• To liaise with all appropriate staff in relation to the above listed responsibilities.

• To carry out any other tasks as directed by your line manager

• To respond to all enquires within Reading Football Club Charter guidelines

• To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Reading Football Club and its operation

• There is an expectation that you will undertake adhoc work on an exceptional basis or provide relevant cover for other team tasks

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS: Essential - BSc in Sports Psychology or related discipline Degree in subject specific area; BASES / BPS Accredited Exposure to counselling techniques and/or experience; Be on the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register of Health and Care Professionals or on one of the approved training routes/pathways towards HCPC registration.  Desirable - MSc in Sports Psychology or related discipline Degree in subject specific area.

EXPERIENCE: Essential - Minimum 3 years’ experience of working in Elite Sport, preferably a Team sport and within a football environment

KNOWLEDGE: Essential - A very good understanding of the EPPP process

SKILLS: Essential - Computer literacy, Including MS Office and Excel; Encourage, maintain and manage elite footballers

ATTITUDE: Essential - An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and sport; Strong commitment to developing elite athletes; Ability to work irregular and unsocial hours as required involving work outside normal office hours, at evenings, weekends and bank holidays