Arsenal Community Coach Development Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain qualifications and experience in coaching football whilst contributing to Arsenal Football Club’s community projects in the UK and around the world.

Participating coaches will undergo football and education courses alongside practical coaching and teaching experience to reinforce the delivery of learning materials.

Upon completion of the initial stages of training and delivery, coaches may be offered a placement with one of our community projects overseas, including our Coaching for Life programme in Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan. Placements are usually 4-6 weeks and will depend on the coach meeting club expectations and fulfilling the necessary training and visa requirements of the intended destination country.

The programme runs from September 2023 – July 2024 and is based at the Arsenal Hub, right next to the Emirates Stadium.

Who We Are

We are one of the most famous clubs in world football, with a rich heritage and history of success – read more about our history, here.

Beyond that, we are passionate about our local community and, behind the scenes, we have a wide variety of opportunities and career paths for all. We have a very defined purpose: to act for a winning team, culture and community. We achieve this by ensuring we are courageous in the pursuit of progress, we champion our community and each other, and that we do the right thing (even when no one is looking).

Your day-to-day

• Assisting with the planning and delivery of first-class coaching at designated projects using the Arsenal in the Community philosophies and training methods.


• Supporting your Session Lead and ensuring all appropriate policies and procedures from the Club or those of any host organisation are adhered to.


• Liaising with teachers and parents/guardians in a professional manner.


• Leading and assisting session delivery across our range of Arsenal in the Community projects.


• Ensuring the health and safety of all sessions.


• Committing to a programme of Coach Education training sessions and Development Reviews with the Project Coordinator, when requested.


• Ensuring all documentation is provided in a timely manner for enrolment onto the programme, as well as for all UK and overseas placements, courses or other needs as requested by the Project Coordinator.

What We Are Looking For

The Arsenal Community Coach Development Programme is open to everyone from school leavers to those wanting a career break or seeking to take the first steps to a career in football coaching.

• Some experience of community/youth focused projects.


• Experience of or willingness to adapt to new, unfamiliar surroundings.


• Some experience of volunteering and/or working with children and young people.


• Interest in coaching young people of all abilities of various ages.


• Knowledge of the Arsenal in the Community methods and philosophies and Club Vision and Values (training to be provided).


• Good organisational skills.


• Great communication skills.


• Ability to respond to unforeseen challenges effectively, with a calm, considered approach.


• Committed and ‘can-do’ attitude.


• Flexible approach to work within a fast-paced environment.


• Ability to work within a team and take responsibility as an individual.


• Good literacy and numeracy skills.

Please note that the Coach Development Programme is unpaid and requires travel to the Arsenal Hub and the surrounding area (namely Islington, Hackney and Camden) 5 days a week, often during peak hours. It is essential that volunteers are able to cover their own expenses, including accommodation and travel, as Arsenal will not be able to contribute towards these costs.

Arsenal for Everyone

Arsenal for Everyone is our commitment to promoting and embracing equality, diversity and inclusion, so that everyone connected to the club feels like they belong to the same Arsenal family. We believe that diversity of background, skills and experience drives our success on and off the pitch.

Disability Confident Leader

We are a Disability Confident Leader. We actively welcome 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, we will offer you an interview if you meet the minimum criteria for a role. Please choose the option of a guaranteed interview on your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment decisions.