We are looking for someone to join our Academy Sports Science Team who will be responsible for the delivery of the sports science support service to all players in the Academy (with particular focus on the U15-U16) by co-ordinating and liaising with the Lead Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach and Head of Academy Sports Science & Medicine

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 develop and provide elite performance support to all academy players, (specifically the U15-16 squads) on a day-to-day basis working with all relevant age groups coaches and the wider MDT.

• To work closely with PDP sports science and S&C staff to allow simultaneous development strategies in line with the academy athletic development syllabus.

• To work closely with FDP+YDP sports science and S&C staff to allow simultaneous development strategies in line with the academy athletic development syllabus.

• To co-ordinate and lead, in conjunction with all performance support staff, sports science support work, ensuring quality control. This includes delivering pitch and gym based athletic development sessions, individual player assessment and analysis.

• To effectively communicate and disseminate performance and testing data and practices to all relevant players, parents, coaches and MDT staff.

• To oversee weekly training intensities and devise long-term programmes for players with reference to age group specific needs, with a focus on the U15-16 squad, in association with age group coaches, academy sports science staff, and academy medical staff.

• To monitor all U15-16 training sessions and games using GPS, to ensure proposed training intensities are adhered to.

• To conduct physiological testing in line with the Sports Science & Medical departmental testing & monitoring strategies.

• To conduct Anthropometric Assessments as directed by LASC.

• To maintain up to date records on the club performance Management system in conjunction with EPPP/ Premier League Requirements and Regulations.

• To actively contribute to ILP and MDT player review.

• To write training programmes in conjunction with appropriate team staff (Coaches, Physiotherapists, and Head Academy of Sports Science & Medicine) and in conjunction with the individual players’ needs analysis and any test results.

• To contribute to the development of resources and educational aids as directed by HASSM & LASC.

• To educate academy staff to ensure the maintenance of best practice including monitoring of training sessions and provision of       in—service training and appropriate CPD.

• To contribute where appropriate to all age group training and testing as directed by LASC & HASSM

• To liaise with catering staff at all training centres/ game venues (where appropriate) to ensure correct nutritional support that allows an intensive training programme and games to be sustained, in conjunction with the Club Nutritionist.

• To employ recovery strategies that ensure optimal training and match time.

• To assist the Club nutritionist with the delivery of the Nutrition & Lifestyle education syllabus.

• To support medical staff in rehabilitation of injured players.

• To establish and maintain links to other divisions of the support team (physiotherapy, sports psychology and first team).

• To assist where appropriate with PDP squads

• To be up to date with the latest sports science support services and practices, liaising with other sports scientist as necessary and  to communicate such updates with all relevant staff.

• 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 (Hons) Sports Science or related degree; FA Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF); FA Safeguarding Children qualification; hold or be willing to work towards British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES) Accreditation.  Desirable - MSc Sports Science or related

EXPERIENCE: Essential - experience of working in Elite Sport - preferably in the Academy setting

KNOWLEDGE: Essential - an understanding of the EPPP process; an understanding of GPS systems

SKILLS: Essential - computer literacy, including MS Office and Excel; encourage, maintain, and manage young people

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