Academy Coach (Foundation Phase)

Organisation: Bristol City FC.
Salary: Competitive
Location: Robins High Performance Centre, Bristol
Contract type: Permanent (Part time)
Closing date: 15 August 2025
Job Description: DEPARTMENT: Men’s Academy
REPORTS TO: Lead Cell Coach
LOCATION: Robins High Performance Centre, BS8 3TN
CONTRACT TYPE: 12 or 16 hours per week

Overview:
We are looking for a committed, exceptional person to join us as a Foundation Phase Academy Coach within our team:

Key Responsibilities
• Responsible for planning and delivering coaching sessions that follow the club philosophy and deliver the coaching curriculum programme for your respective age.
• Responsible for your age group on match day, including to plan, observe and provide feedback regarding individual player performance.
• To evaluate players from coaching sessions and matches and ensure that the relevant information is recorded fully on The Kitman Labs Intelligence Platform.
• Ensuring that Players’ welfare and safeguarding is always protected.
• Contributing to the talent identification process where appropriate.
• Undertaking administrative tasks related to the role, including fixture programming, record keeping and database input.
• To conduct 6 weekly player reviews.
• To carry out player/parent reviews in line with EPPP guidelines.
• Ensure multi-disciplinary communication to ensure the well-being and holistic development of the Academy players.
• Be an ambassador of the Bristol City DNA.

Delivery Standards
• Coaches meet delivery standards in the following areas (non-exhaustive):
o Planning, preparation and review, Dress, Behaviour, Referees, Parents, Opposition, Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, autonomy, use of appropriate learning aids to elevate coaching messages, appropriate application of safeguarding practice, take part in regular review of coaching principles.
• Ensure all internal Continuous Professional Development sessions are attended.
• Dedicated to self-improvement and personal development.
• Ensure you have an up to date and relevant individual coach development plan based upon the Coaching Competency Framework.
• Ensure all players are offered audit compliant training sessions in line with the Academy coaching philosophy throughout the season.
• Ensure you are consistently compliant with the Academy Coaches Code of Conduct.
• Ensuring all players have a performance review every 6 weeks.
• Ensuring all players have their individual development needs identified and an appropriate plan is put in place to develop these.
• Professional communication with staff, players and parents is always maintained.
• The Kitman Labs Intelligence Platform is maintained to a high standard and in line with EPPP guidelines.
• Be adaptable to work to the demands of the job and always to the needs of the players.
• The EFL is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

Each coach must from the commencement of and throughout their employment hold:
• UEFA ‘B’ Licence.
• FA Youth Award.
• Experience of developing players in an Academy environment.
• Understanding of the requirements to play Professional football, at all levels.
• Be able to work as part of a team, but also lead on own initiative
• Have empathy, be supportive and encouraging to developing others
• Have an open / growth mind-set and be an honest, clear communicator

Desirable Experience and Qualifications
• UEFA A Licence.
• FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Degree within a related subject

Key Competencies
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Planning and organisation.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to create a development environment.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders.
How to apply: How to Apply Applications are to be sent by email to careers@bcfc.co.uk. Applications should include a covering letter (max. 1 page) on the experience you have that makes you suitable for the role and should be accompanied by a current CV (max. 2 pages). Closing date: Friday 15th August 2025 Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted one month after applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Safeguarding Statement: Bristol City Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Note: This post requires Enhanced Criminal Records Checks and may include checks against the Barred Lists, as such it is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore, all convictions including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared. Relevant information and / or documents will be distributed as part of the recruitment process. Equality Statement: The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders. EFL BAME Declaration The EFL (English Football League) has introduced positive action measures aimed at tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethic (BAME) backgrounds. Regulations require clubs to shortlist at least one suitably qualified BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for all roles in Academy football that require a UEFA A or UEFA B Licence.