Foundation Phase Coach

Organisation

Derby County Football Club

Salary

Sessional

Location

Moor Farm Morley Road Oakwood, Derby DE21 4TB ·

Contract type

Fixed Term (Part time)

Closing date

5 July 2026

Job Description

Derby County are seeking to recruit a Foundation Phase Coach to join the Academy Coaching department on a casual basis at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Foundation Phase (U9-U11) in achieving the targets in the Academy Performance Plan, Academy Playing & Coaching Philosophy and Values whilst supporting the delivery of the coaching programme within the Foundation Phase.

The role will require supporting the players' holistic development in the phase and ensuring that their needs are met in accordance with their Individual Development Plans and modelling good practice relating to the DCFC Academy values across the phase for players and staff.

Key Role Responsibilities:
• To coach an age group squad of players and be responsible for the progression and individual development of players within the phase.
• To ensure that the academy’s approach to the holistic development of players is always adhered to.
• To ensure the completion of Football Intelligence Platform (FIP) and Hudl under academy requirements.
• Undertake player/parent review meetings every twelve weeks per academy guidelines.
• To coach a team in the age-group-specific games programme and manage all necessary arrangements involved in the process.
• To take responsibility for your development through your Development Action Plan per the DCFC Coach Competency Framework.
• To undertake personal CPD as appropriate to meet the role's demands.
• Support the retain and release process per the club’s policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club’s safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and including equality, diversity and inclusion.
• To present and promote an appropriate public image in representing the organisation.
• To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.


Personal characteristics and experience:
• Coaching within a football academy environment
• Experience of using the Football Intelligence Platform (desirable)
• Coaching within a Category 1 environment in the FP (desirable)
• Hardworking and enthusiastic
• Able to work under pressure and tight deadlines
• Excellent Communications skills both verbal and written
• Able to build positive relationships with players, staff and stakeholders
• Able to prioritise and manage own workload
• Able to work using your initiative and as part of a team
• Able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances

Qualifications:
Essential
• UEFA B License
• FA Youth Award
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football
• Safeguarding Children Certificate

Desirable
• FA Advanced Youth Award (FP)

The role is paid a sessional coaching rate, dependent on the type of session being delivered.

This role is a seasonal, casual, part-time role with an initial fixed term until May 2027, based at the Derby County Training Centre, with some travel required.

Who are Derby County…

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

• We are proud of who we are and what we do
• We are positive, inspired and passionate
• We are ambitious and driven
• We are prepared, honest and humble
• We are the heartbeat of our community
• We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 10% discount at DCFC Megastore
• Company Pension with Aviva
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust

How to apply…

Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.

Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.

More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 05 July 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies please.

Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE. Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.

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