ACADEMY ANALYSIS PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION

PLACEMENT TITLE: W&Gs Academy Performance Analyst Placement MSc Bursary
DEPARTMENT: Performance Insights and Data Strategy
REPORTS TO: Head of Performance Insights and Data Strategy
LOCATION: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground, Compton - Additional travel may be required
HOURS: 25 hours per week from 14th August 2025 – 31st May 2026
DATE:

We are Wolves; progressive, determined, bright, unified, and humble. A pack that is hungry for success. Wolves is one of the fastest-growing professional football clubs in the UK and also boasts one of the richest histories in the beautiful game. Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founding member of the Football League and was one of the country’s most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two-decade spell, the Black Country’s most decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.

Fast forward to the 2022/23 season, where three seasons at Molineux saw Wolves clinch the Sky Bet Championship trophy with 99 points, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which included memorable wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The next season saw the team complete a memorable double over the reigning champions, equal the previous season’s seventh-place finish, and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, all as part of the ‘longest season’ in league history, either starting before or finishing after all other teams.

We don’t simply look to the future; we seize it.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk and ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

Placement Description

To support the Women's and Girls' Performance Analysis process and services at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, enabling us to enhance the quality of content, research, and development given to coaches and players. This role will work closely with the Women's Head Coach and the Head of Women's and Girls' Football, while also working closely with the academy analysts in the boys' program to align the provision. The placement is to support university study towards a recognized qualification in the Performance Analysis field, working in partnership with the University of Worcester.

This placement has a strong record, with previous interns now working at a range of professional clubs and elite settings at both academy and first-team levels, including Premier League and Championship clubs.

Key Learning Opportunities

• Filming and coding of all senior Women’s matches.


• Provide pre / live / post-match analysis to coaching staff.


• Filming and coding of relevant training and matches across Academy teams.


• Maintenance of video and statistical databases.


• Support in the production and delivery of team/individual meetings.


• Provide best practice clips from relevant age groups to maintain a library based around the club playing style and identity.


• Involvement in research-based projects on learning styles, delivery, and technology.


• Assist with the implementation of player development plans and support coach observation sessions.


• Assist in coverage of tournaments across all Academy age groups as required.

General Responsibilities

• Compliance with Club policies.


• Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures.


• Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies.


• Promote the Club’s values.


• Work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club.


• Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected.


• Maintain professional conduct at all times.

Safeguarding

• This role carries a specific safeguarding responsibility. This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.

Key Relationships

• Report to the Head of Performance Insights and Data Strategy.


• Work closely with the Women's Head Coach and Head of Women's and Girls' Football to build on the analysis provision delivered.


• Collaborate with the boys' academy analysts, building lines of communication and understanding of roles and responsibilities to support the alignment of the analysis provision.


• Build strong relationships with the coaching staff and support staff to understand their workflows and requirements to support player development throughout the season.

Scope of Placement

• This placement will involve approximately 25 hours per week and may include duties outside normal office hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.


• This placement description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing needs of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. The Performance Analysis department is amalgamated with both senior and academy footballers, and you may be asked to support either department at short notice.

Person Specification

Women and Girls Performance Analyst Placement (studying towards MSc)

Knowledge

The level and breadth of knowledge required for the placement.

Desirable:

• Evidence of excellent football knowledge through analysis, coaching, or playing experience.


• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and Apple-based products to build presentations, databases, and graphical resources.


• Understanding of Performance Analysis software and awareness of coding/editing and presentation processes within it (Hudl Sportscode, SBG Focus, SBG Matchtracker).


• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant equipment and technology, including its operation and maintenance (Spiideo, VEO, manual filming equipment).


• Experience and knowledge of the Women’s and Girls’ game.

General Skills and Attributes

More general characteristics, e.g., flexibility, communication skills, teamwork, etc.

Essential:

• A personality that brings a positive impact to our elite environment and can engage with players and coaches.


• Ability to work using own initiative.


• Calm under pressure and able to adapt to changing situations.


• Excellent presentation and communication skills that positively impact performance.


• Understanding of individual responsibility in complying with Health and Safety policies.


• Personal commitment to continued professional development.


• Operate within the rules of professional confidentiality when liaising with staff and players.


• Understanding of how to work safely with children and uphold generally accepted practices when working with participants.


• Promote, adhere to, and implement the Club’s Equality Policy and consistently embed equality and diversity within the Club.

Experience

Proven record of experience in a particular field, profession, or specialism.

Desirable:

• A minimum of 1 year's experience working in a sporting environment to provide Performance Analysis support and delivery.


• Experience presenting in front of large groups.

Qualifications

The level of educational, professional, and/or occupational training required.

Essential:

• An undergraduate degree in a Sports Science, Sport Studies, Coaching, or Performance Analysis-related course.


• Acceptance onto an MSc Performance Analysis course that is work placement-based.


• Hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity the relevant safeguarding training (i.e., FA Safeguarding Children Workshop).


• Subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves Safeguarding Manager.

Desirable:

• FA Level 1 and 2 Coaching Badges.