Foundation Phase Lead CoachWigan Athletic

Founded in 1932, Wigan Athletic were elected to the Football League in 1978 and were promoted out of the Fourth Division in 1981/82. Latics won the Third Division title in 1996/97, the Football League Trophy in 1999, and the Second Division in 2002/03, before securing promotion to the Premier League in 2004/05. Founded in 1872, Wigan Warriors are joint record five-time World Club Challenge winners, record 21-time Challenge Cup winners, and record 23-time league title winners.

Latics famously won the FA Cup in 2013, beating Premier League giants Manchester City in the Final. However, Latics were relegated later that year, bringing its memorable eight-season stay in the top flight to an end. The FA Cup success did, though, mean Latics gained their place in the UEFA Europa League the following season. Relegated from the Championship in 2014/2015, the Club won the League One title in 2015/16 and repeated this feat in 2017/18 and 2021/22 respectively. Wigan Warriors is undoubtedly one of the most successful teams in Rugby League and world sports. Playing in the Betfred Super League, the Warriors currently hold all four of the major trophies available under head coach Matty Peet.

Some of the most famous players in the sport have worn the cherry and white shirts from Jim Sullivan and Billy Boston to modern-day superstars such as Sean O’Loughlin and Bevan French, whereas multiple greats have donned the blue and white of Latics from Tommy Gore and Emmerson Boyce to current local heroes Sam Tickle and James Carragher.

Now under joint ownership, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors are stronger together and continue to work in collaboration for the benefit of both clubs and their fanbases.

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people, as well as being an equal opportunities employer; we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Criminal Record Check (DBS).

*Whilst we endeavour to respond to every applicant, please note that due to the number of applications we receive, only those selected for an interview may be contacted.

Wigan Athletic Academy – Lead Foundation Phase Coach

? Location: Wigan Athletic Academy, Stadium Way

? Contract: Full-time

? Reports to: Head of Coaching and Player Pathways

⏳ Hours: 37.5 per week

? Closing Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026, 11:59pm

Role Overview

Develop and maintain an elite environment, including provision of high-quality coaching for the progression and development of Foundation Phase players, promoting the Academy Philosophy, Vision and Culture/ Values at all times.

Key responsibilities and duties:

Conduct & Expectancies:

• To act in a manner appropriate to a representative of Wigan Athletic FC
• To ensure that all players, in their charge, also act in an appropriate fashion
• Promote the Academy & Clubs ‘Football Culture & Philosophy’
• To enforce the player and parent code of conduct
• Enthuse and communicate with U9-U12 year olds
• Manage & enforce the required standards of all players in relation to the Academy rules & regulations

Specifically, to:

• Plan, attend and deliver/supervise all coaching sessions as stipulated by the Head of Coaching and Player Pathways
• Line manage casual academy coaches to deliver the Foundation Phase macro-cycle in order to help young players U9-12 reach their maximal potential.
• Be the point of contact for all registered players U9-12. Manage WhatsApp groups, FIP and general communications.
• Plan sessions with a focus on 1v1 work, in an appropriate area size to promote and develop physical qualities.
• Promote a comprehensive learning syllabus.
• Set and maintain a challenging and rewarding environment for young athletes to thrive in – management of support staff to achieve this
• Schedule coaches to ensure all sessions and fixtures are staffed.
• To plan and implement a technical programme of skills coaching and events for all the Academy players across the U9-U12 age groups
• To liaise with HoR and HoCPP on triallists and pre-academy registrations.
• To liaise with the YDP Lead coach on two year retainment of U12 into U13/14 age groups.
• Review all players' progress on FIP after each six-week block
• To record and manage game minutes, find appropriate games for certain players to play up.
• To find ways of promoting a multi-formatted approach to acquiring game time for players, while providing appropriate challenges
• Identify & Implement long term, medium-term and short-term goals for each individual U9-U12 at the Academy through a planned Individual Learning Programme and associated sessions/clinics alongside Head of Coaching and Player Pathways (collaboration).

Talent ID:

• Assess the development of the players and liaise with HoR regarding group needs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with recruitment to ensure a high yield on a collaborative approach to registering a player.
• Provides weekly feedback on triallists via WhatsApp group. Also, links in with casual staff to form the clearest opinion.
• Communicates with parents and the Academy's Head of Recruitment & Head of Coaching during this process.
• Develop a link with the WAFC Community scheme to ensure players within their programme get the opportunity to have trials with the Academy

Administration:

• Arrange and Chair phase specific coaches’ meetings per block
• Ensures all paperwork, session plans and registers are up to date and the monitoring and review of player attendance and progress is accurate and reported back to the Head of Coaching as required.
• Ensures all players and parents are informed of details regarding training and/or any other activities planned, and appropriate risk assessments and safeguarding provisions are in place.

Qualifications and Experience:

(Essential)

• UEFA B Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award (Foundation Phase)
• FA Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF as required by the F.A).

(Desirable)

• UEFA A Licence

Experience:

(Essential)

• Demonstrable experience of providing appropriate coaching and self-help tools in a sports environment to improve performance and achieve success.
• A proven track record of successfully managing and developing a team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities:

(Essential)

• Knowledge of the latest best practices in the development of players.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Knowledge of the requirements and process for signing players (e.g. trial periods, when to sign/release)

Personal qualities:

(Essential)

• Proven ability to engage, enthuse and communicate with 9 -12 year olds
• Ability to maximise customer experience.
• Motivated by a passion for quality and great service delivery.
• Ability to engage with key customers at all levels.
• Ability to successfully work in a team.
• Enthusiastic.
• Committed to learn and continuously developing.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage and prioritise workloads
• Assertive, calm, with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Flexible to meet the requirements of the management and coaching staff.