First Team Athletic Performance Coach

Organisation: Bristol Bears
Salary: Competitive
Location: Bristol Bears High Performance Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3TF
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 16 June 2025
Job Description: DEPARTMENT: Athletic Performance
REPORTS TO: Head of Athletic Performance & Director of Rugby
REPORTEES: None

Bristol Bears Rugby is part of Stephen Lansdown’s sporting group of companies which includes Bristol Sport, Bristol City Football, Bristol Flyers Basketball and each of their respective community charities.
Our ambition is ‘to inspire our community through rugby success’.

Our supporters regularly attend Ashton Gate Stadium to watch the team perform in Premiership and European Cup Competitions as well as our Women’s team who play at the highest level of domestic competition.

ROLE SUMMARY
To support the design & implementation of the Bristol Bears athletic performance program in conjunction with the Head of Athletic Performance.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop year-round programming, aimed at improving athletic performance outcomes across all areas of training
• Observe training and match performances using these observations in conjunction with athlete records to assess strengths and weaknesses and design programs accordingly.
• Providing continuous feedback to athletes on their progress & training plans.
• Coach all sessions related to athletic performance & ensure high level of delivery.
• Lead return to perform programming, alongside the medical team, for all injured players.
• Match day support to the first team & A team which includes travel, GPS, preparation and recovery.
• Performance data management and interpretation.
• The post-holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing an integrated athletic performance programme to players.
• Any other tasks as reasonably requested by the Director of Rugby or Head of Athletic Performance
• To contribute positively to the Bears vision and culture

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
• Director of Rugby
• Coaching staff
• Medical staff
• Players & coaches

ESSENTIAL SKILLS
• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology or a closely related qualification.
• Experience with strength diagnostics & force plate technology.
• Experience of working within a high performance, professional sporting environment for at least 2 years.
• Knowledge and understanding of rugby union.

DESIRABLE SKILLS
• Master’s degree in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology or a closely related qualification.
• 2+ years working in a high-performance rugby environment.
• Experience with data-analysis systems such as R, Python and other statistical software.

PERSONAL SKILLS
• Thrives in a team environment and continually contributes positively to an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong, transferable communication skills.
• Proven ability to work productively and to deadline in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to quickly adapt and respond to a fast-paced environment.
• A discreet, professional and confidential approach.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Responsible for ensuring all health and safety procedures are followed at all times, with relevant paperwork to support
• To ensure all employees complete their training required to do their job
• Report all incidents and accidents as required
• To report any hazards detected
• To complete and review the risk assessments for the department

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are committed to the principle of equal opportunity and its policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

SAFEGUARDING
Bristol Rugby Club Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role would be subject to a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
How to apply: HOW TO APPLY: Please send a covering letter and CV to careers@bristolbearsrugby.com. Please note: You must provide a minimum of 2 references for us to consider your application.