Rehab & Performance PhysiotherapistHarrogate Town

Harrogate Town AFC are seeking a highly motivated and proactive Physiotherapist/ Sports Therapist to join our performance and medical team.

This role requires a practitioner who is confident not only in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injured players, but also in delivering high-quality outdoor rehabilitation and football-based return-to-play sessions on the training pitch. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced elite sporting environment, working closely with coaching and performance staff to design and progress functional rehab that bridges the gap between the treatment room and full team training. A strong understanding of football-specific movement demands, on-pitch conditioning, and progressive return-to-performance principles is essential.

Department: Harrogate Town Medical Department

Salary: competitive

Contract type: Full Time staff contract

Hours: Up to 40 hours per week- you will be required to have a flexible approach to working hours subject to the demands of the role. This will include evenings and weekends and unsociable hours.

Responsible for: First team players

Responsible to: Head of Medical

Location: Harrogate/ Leeds/ York and surrounding areas including travel

Regular working hours: You will be required to work both weekdays and regular weekends and some unsocial hours as part of an irregular working pattern.  Annual leave is strictly restricted within key times of the football season.

Start date: ASAP

Key contacts:  Internal – Chief Executive, 1st Team Manager and Coaches, Head of Medical, 1st Team Physio, 1st Team Sports Therapist, 1st Team Strength and Conditioning Coach, Club Doctor, Players, wider club coaches and managers. External – Medical Consultants and Specialists, other Football clubs Medical Staff, the English Football League, the FA.

Locations: Your working locations will be split over the following locations based on the business needs: First team Training Ground (Currently Rothwell FC, Fleet Lane, Leeds LS268NX), First team home games at The Exercise Stadium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG27SA. Due to the nature of the post, travel as required to 1st team fixtures both home and away, B-Team fixtures, Youth team fixtures, BTEC and club partnership locations, tours.

Mandatory Criteria

BSc/ MSc Physiotherapy OR BSc/ MSc Sports Therapy/ Rehab

Professional registration- HCPC, CSP, SST or equivalent

Outdoor rehab experience at elite level

Football coaching experience

ITMMIF qualification mandatory (or equivalent)

Professional sport experience (2 years or more)

Sports massage experience

Car driver with full UK driving license

DBS check

Knowledge and experience of treating a wide range of MSK football specific injuries

Ability to effectively monitor and modify training and rehabilitation programs according to clinical needs

Excellent time management skills whilst ensuring administration duties are kept up to date

Desirable Criteria

ATMMIF qualification (or equivalent)

S+C qualification/ experience

Football coaching qualifications

The position is full-time, with working hours being flexible around the needs of the Club and include evening and weekend work. You will be expected to undertake any specific training or Continued Professional Development to maintain your up-to-date knowledge and qualifications, and / or as organised by the Club.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Treatments and Injury Rehabilitation

• To work within the physiotherapy team to provide high-quality medical and rehabilitation services to all club players as required.
• To demonstrate excellent assessment, clinical reasoning, and diagnostic skills to deliver individualised rehabilitation programmes tailored to the demands of professional football.
• To lead and deliver progressive outdoor rehabilitation and football-specific return-to-play sessions, ensuring players are physically and technically prepared to reintegrate into full training and competitive match play.
• To confidently plan and coach pitch-based rehabilitation sessions including running progressions, change of direction, ball work, conditioning drills, and position-specific football activities.
• To bridge the gap between the gym, treatment room, and team training environment through effective on-pitch rehabilitation programming.
• In the absence of the S+C coach, to lead conditioning and football sessions with non squad players
• To promote and protect the health, performance, and well-being of all players throughout all stages of rehabilitation and return to performance.
• To be available for the medical rota/calendar to provide comprehensive care and pitch-side support to all club players as required.
• To liaise regularly with the Strength & Conditioning Coach and coaching staff to coordinate rehab progressions, gym programmes, conditioning exposure, and football-loading strategies for injured players.
• To recommend the need for scans, specialist opinions, or onward referral to the Head of Medical based on clinical assessment findings.

Prehab and Player Monitoring

• Together with the physiotherapy and performance staff, create and deliver individualised prehab and corrective exercise programmes aimed at reducing injury risk and improving movement quality.
• To integrate football-specific movement and pitch-based conditioning strategies into player prehab programmes where appropriate.
• To utilise physical testing, GPS data, and functional screening to monitor player adaptations, strength levels, and readiness for training exposure.
• To carry out regular in-season monitoring and testing, reporting any concerns or significant findings to the Head of Medical where appropriate.

Injury Prevention

• To assist in the daily monitoring of player training loads, fitness status, and injury risk in collaboration with the medical and performance departments.
• To provide and implement injury prevention strategies that align with the physical and technical demands of elite football.
• To deliver individual and group pitch-based activation, movement preparation, and injury reduction sessions where appropriate.
• Within your scope of practice, provide daily treatments and recovery strategies including soft tissue therapy, manual therapy, mobility, and recovery interventions to optimise player availability and performance.

Match Day

• To work first team home matches as required
• Assist in providing all pre-match, half-time, and post-match treatments and recovery interventions required by players.

Additional

• Be compliant with all professional, clinical, and integrated governance standards and participate in clinical audit and quality assurance processes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records for all squad members treated, in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Provide regular feedback to the Head of Medical on all aspects of physiotherapy provision, player progression, and rehabilitation status.
• Accompany players to specialist consultations and appointments as required, with the permission of the Head of Medical.
• Respect and maintain player confidentiality at all times.
• Undertake appropriate professional development to remain up to date with current evidence, rehabilitation methods, and football-specific best practice.
• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the training ground and departmental duties as required.
• Attend and contribute to departmental CPD sessions.
• Report any safeguarding concerns to the club Safeguarding Lead.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by senior management staff.