Head of Player & Coach Development (U7-U12)

Location:

Plymouth

Vacancy Type:

Permanent

Department:

Academy

Salary Details:

£33,000 – £35,000 Yearly

Advertising End Date:

15 Sep 2024

The role

Plymouth Argyle’s Academy are recruiting for a Full Time Head of Player & Coach Development for the U7 to U12 age group.

This is an exciting new role will be integral to the development of the Academy’s coaching curriculum and games programme as we transition into our new Academy training ground at Brickfields in the 2025-26 season. As well as leading our team of enthusiastic and dedicated Academy coaches through regular CPD and individual Development Action Plans.

This is an important role within our Academy developing our players at the start of their Academy journey in the Foundation Phase. It is critical that the successful applicant has experience and understands player development at the U7 to U12 age groups with a focus on developing technically outstanding players through our core techniques.

KEY OUTPUTS:

• Provide structured and timely support for all Academy coaches through a planned CPD Programme and Individual coaches CCF & DAP.
• Manage and develop the club’s coaching syllabus, curriculum and games programme with the support of all age group coaches.
• To oversee the coaching programme and provide support for all age groups teams and individual players to ensure all EPPP requirements are met.
• Alignment of the playing and coaching philosophy across the age groups.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Academy Manager on all issues relating to player & coach development on a day-to-day basis.
• Enrol and fully participate in the Premier League’s Elite Head of Coaching (EHOC) Programme.
• To develop and organise a planned CPD schedule for the coaching department and individual needs of the Academy coaches.
• Ensure all coaches buy in to the club’s CCF & DAP process supporting each individual with any areas identified for development.
• To be responsible for the training needs analysis (TNA) for all coaches.
• Assist the Academy Manager to develop the club Academy Performance Plan and achieve departmental KPI’s within the coaching and games programme.
• To guide the clubs playing and coaching philosophy throughout the age groups.
• To monitor and develop the Academy syllabus and curriculum to produce technically excellent players across the age groups.
• To ensure the Academy coaches have written session & game plans including Team & Individual learning objectives linked to the Academy’s curriculum.
• To attend the Academy’s Technical Board and Academy Management Team meetings and arrange coaching department meetings every 6 weeks.
• To coach and develop players across the age groups on a regular basis.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• UEFA A License
• FA Advanced Youth Award 5-11
• FA Safeguarding Workshop
• FA Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Elite Head of Coaching (EHOC)
• European Mentoring and Coaching Council Foundation Award

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the FA, EFL and Premier League for Youth Development.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office systems e.g. Office, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent systems.
• Has a desire to develop their own knowledge, skills and capability to be at the leading edge of player development.
• Has a passion for working with players and coaches to develop them.

SKILLS

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Highly organised
• Able to work autonomously
• Able to work as a member of a team
• Strong time management skills
• Ability to problem solve
• Attention to detail

EXPERIENCE

• Coaching within a professional football club within the FP, YDP & PDP.
• Working in a fast paced and pressurised environment.
• A similar role which involves working in an elite learning and/or performance environment
• An education / pedagogy role and understand the process of learning in young people and coaches.