Foundation Phase Coach and Club Development Manager

Organisation: Gloucester Rugby
Salary: £30-35K
Location: Kingsholm, Gloucester
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 4 July 2025
Job Description: This role is split into working with the Academy and Community Department at Gloucester Rugby Club. The primary purpose of this role is to drive the development of young players and expand rugby participation across the Gloucester Rugby community. This includes leading the delivery of the U15-U16 Coaching Programme within the Academy Pathway, ensuring players have access to high-quality coaching, clear feedback, and opportunities to progress to higher levels of performance.

In addition to player development, the role focuses on supporting clubs, enhancing the capabilities and confidence of coaches, teachers, and referees through mentoring, education, and structured CPD programs. By building strong relationships with schools, colleges, universities, clubs, and community groups, the role works to grow rugby participation, improve player experiences, and foster sustainable connections between Gloucester Rugby and the wider community.

Furthermore, the role supports the growth of rugby through the implementation of innovative game formats, the development of club infrastructure and facilities, and the recruitment and retention of volunteers and staff. It ensures that all programs and initiatives are delivered to the highest professional standards, aligning with Gloucester Rugby’s strategic objectives:

To Win. For our community and each other.
Key Accountabilities
Describe the key deliverables to be achieved by the post holder and the ongoing responsibilities of the role
The successful candidate will be an important part of the Club, working closely with the Head of Community Rugby to deliver the Foundations ‘Changing Lives through Rugby’ strategy and to prioritise project delivery and program innovation.
Foundation Phase Lead Coach
The Foundation Phase Lead Coach is responsible for delivering the U15-U16 Coaching Programme to develop future Gloucester Rugby players. This role supports player progression across the Academy Pathway by providing high-quality coaching, mentorship, and collaboration with players, staff, clubs, and schools.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver the Foundation Phase Coaching Programme and aligned curriculum.
• Design, lead, and review training sessions and fixtures across regional centres.
• Support Academy Masterclass sessions and interdisciplinary objectives.
• Identify and nurture talent within the Gloucester Academy catchment.
• Ensure a clear, consistent feedback process for players.
Coach and Club Development Manager
The Club Development Manager will lead initiatives to grow rugby participation, improve player experiences, and strengthen community connections. Working closely with the Head of Community Rugby, this role focuses on supporting community clubs and schools to deliver excellent rugby experiences that align with the Clubs strategy; To win. For our Community and Each Other.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead the delivery of our Finding the Edge programme, which delivers excellent rugby programming to secondary schools and colleges.
• Lead on the delivery of our Rugby Network affiliation programme that creates tangible links between Gloucester Rugby and community sites.
• Build strong relationships with schools, colleges, universities, community groups, and rugby clubs to grow participation and performance.
• Support clubs in recruiting, developing, and retaining players, coaches, referees, and volunteers.
• Work with the Community team to facilitate ongoing CPD programs and innovative game formats, such as touch and walking rugby.
• Collaborate with clubs to assess and enhance facilities, strengthen local partnerships, and grow rugby participation.
• Manage and mentor Community Rugby Coaches, ensuring effective local delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
• Report on activities, outputs, and progress against objectives, maintaining professional standards.
This role may include community-based delivery, match day events, festivals, and other programmes. It will also require working some evenings and weekends as needed.
This job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and is not meant to restrict any individual in performing other duties as required by the Company.

Monitoring and Evaluation
Our commitment to accurate monitoring and evaluation is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness and continuous improvement of our programmes. As an outcomes-driven organisation, we rely on precise data to make informed decisions that maximise our social impact. We expect our employees to adopt rigorous techniques and best practices to ensure the validity of our results, enabling us to uphold our mission of driving positive change through rugby-related initiatives.

Safeguarding
Gloucester Rugby is committed to ensuring that everyone involved in sport and physical activity—whether a volunteer, participant, spectator, or elite athlete—should never have to worry about abuse or harassment.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping others safe, and we expect all our employees to prioritise the safety of themselves and others in accordance with the Foundation Safeguarding policy.

Health and Safety at Work
To comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation, you must adhere to the company’s safety rules and procedures and take all reasonable care to protect the safety of yourself and others.

Essential
• Experience coaching young players in rugby across various settings.
• Strong understanding of player development (technical/tactical).
• Experience mentoring coaches and delivering education programs.
• RFU coaching qualification (RFU Level 3 Advanced Coaching Award or working towards).
• First Aid certification and DBS clearance.
• Full UK driving license.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage and influence players, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Strong planning, delegation, and organisational skills.
• Effective problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Motivated, proactive, and adaptable with a positive attitude.
• Flexible to work evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and the local sports landscape.
• IT literate and skilled in Microsoft Office.

Desirable
• ERRA or working towards.
• NGB (RFU) Coach Developer, Educator or Mentor trained.

Additional Information:

• All Role Holders must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality. Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence
• A passion for sport and an understanding of wider issues relating to sport, sport development experience, EDI, health and education
• Personal circumstances must allow the candidate to work extended hours on occasion during times of peak activity including evenings and weekends
• The role description, person specification, role grade and role title may be subject to change at the discretion of Gloucester Rugby and in accordance with business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate
Minimum Standards
Outside of the essential requirements for the role, we must comply with the minimum standards set by our governing bodies. All employees must meet these standards when working for us and we will provide the necessary training where required.

• *England Ruby Coaching Award (ERCA or Level 2 equivalent)
• *First Aid certification
• *Safeguarding Qualification
• *Current DBS
• *RFU’s Minimum Standards (In Touch, Head Case, etc.)
• Current Driving License with no more than six points
• Access to a vehicle

*If you do not meet this requirement, we can provide the training, but we would expect you to be compliant within six months.
How to apply: Please send a Covering Email and CV to recruitment@gloucesterrugby.co.uk