Background

- Professional football must better reflect modern Britain. Sunderland AFC in partnership with the Premier League, are seeking to improve the diversity of football coaches in the professional game to make this area more representative of society and the playing population.
- As part of our commitment to improving diversity, we are proud to be able to support the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme, Season 2023/2024, by providing a high-quality fixed-term employment opportunity that supports under-represented groups within the football industry.
- The scheme is open to coaches who are currently under-represented within English Professional Football – these identified groups being individuals from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, including Women from all backgrounds.
- We believe that having greater diversity helps the whole Club to perform better both on and off the pitch. We are therefore actively encouraging coaches from under-represented groups to embrace the opportunity to aspire to coach in the professional game, so that football at all levels better represents the wider communities in which it is played, enjoyed and serves.

What is the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme?

- The CIDS will provide a 23-month fixed-term employment opportunity and development programme for the successful candidate. The Club will act as the ‘base’ of employment and the individual will work across a variety of football functions within the Club in order to broaden their learning experience.
- Sunderland AFC in partnership with the Premier League, aim to identify a high potential coach so that after the scheme, they remain highly employable within the professional game. Simultaneously, the Premier League want to be able to recognise and support clubs involved in the scheme as Inclusion and Diversity role models.
- The fixed-term employment opportunity will include coaching and observation across the Academy, including multi- disciplinary teams. Successful applicants will enter the Premier League’s Coach Development Programme which is accredited by Leeds Beckett University. Upon successful completion of the programme, coaches will receive a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching. The development programme includes mentoring, workshops, peer learning, projects and FA/UEFA qualifications dependent on need.

Objectives of the Scheme

- To increase the number of coaches who are from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, including women from all backgrounds in full-time coaching positions in English Professional Football.
- To provide coaches on the Scheme with a fixed-term employment contract and development opportunities within a Premier League or Category One Club.
- To substantially improve long-term employment prospects for coaches who complete the scheme.
- To provide each of the coaches with their own development programme to ensure that they are appropriately supported to become successful coaches and visible role models.
- To assist in diversifying the workforce at Premier League and Category One Clubs, promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Person Specification - Candidates with high potential to be world-class football coaches and visible role models.

Background

- Coaches who are currently under-represented within the English professional game – individuals from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, including women from all backgrounds.
- This is a positive action scheme aimed at addressing under-represented groups in football coaching. Applications will only be accepted from individuals from those backgrounds

Experience - Essential

- Experience of coaching youth football
- No previous experience of full-time coaching role in a Premier League or EFL Club.

Experience - Desirable

- Experience of supporting holistic development of children & young people within and/or beyond sport
- Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis.

Qualifications - Essential

- UEFA B Licence
- Current FA Safeguarding Certificate Enhanced DBS Clearance Emergency First Aid Certificate

Qualifications - Desirable

- UEFA A Licence

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

- high-level interpersonal skills, where they can communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of individuals and groups of people;
- the resilience required to be able to succeed in high-performance football environments;
- a high motivation to become a football coach in English Professional Football and to help other footballers and teams to successfully develop and perform
- passion for player development
- track record of commitment to person & professional development.
- Excellent organisation skills with strong attention to detail.
- Effective time & task management.