Vacancy for Academy Coach
AN exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time, highly motivated and enthusiastic coach to join the Argyle Academy.
The role will include the organisation and management of individual and team development in the Professional Development Phase (Under-18s). The successful candidate will also assist with the transition between the Youth Development Phase (Under-12-Under-16) and PDP (Under-18s) on a weekly basis.
Job Title: Professional Development Phase Lead Coach 17-21;
Department: Academy;
Location: Based at Home Park and, initially, Plumer House, Plymouth but also working at various other locations as and when required;
Accountable to: Academy Director, Academy Manager and Head of Academy Coaching;
Accountable for: Technical and tactical aspects of the Under-18 Squad;
Financial responsibility: None.
Role Summary
To assist the Academy Director in the development, co-ordination and implementation of all the technical aspects of the Academy Under-18 squad.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1 To assist the Academy Director & Academy Manager in all matters appertaining to the control and development of the club’s Academy in respect of all young players from the age of 14-21 (or until such time as the player has passed to the supervision of the first-team
manager, whichever is the earliest), with the objective of nurturing them in the long term to progress into the club’s first team.
2 To ensure full compliance with all rules and regulations set by the Football Association, the English Football League/Premier League and League Football Education.
3 To organise meetings with the Professional Development Phase coaching staff every six weeks. Additionally, as and when appropriate, to organise ad-hoc meetings of appropriate staff regarding key issues within the Academy. Also, to attend the club’s Academy Management team meeting on a monthly basis and Technical Board meetings when required.
4 To assist the Head of Academy Coaching to guide the development of the club’s football philosophy and to outline the philosophy, aims and objectives of the Academy to all staff, players and parents and ensure that they are fully aware of their respective responsibilities.
5 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to draw up and implement the Academy Performance Plan, and annually to conduct an annual internal performance audit, utilising the Audit Tool, to assess the extent to which the club meets or exceeds the criteria relevant to a Category 3 Academy, making such information available to the English Football League, Independent Standards Organisation and, if required, the Professional Game Board.
6 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to advise the club Board if the Academy has failed to meet any of its targets set out in the Performance Plan in respect of players in the Under-17-Under-21 age-groups, and the remedial actions proposed.
7 To ensure the effective use by all appropriate Academy staff of the Performance Management Application, Performance Clocks and Audit Tool, including ensuring that all relevant data is recorded.
8 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to design, implement and manage a vibrant and thorough Academy Coaching and Sports Science Programme to cover the technical, psychological, physical and social needs of players in the Under-17-Under-21 age-groups within the Academy, such programme to include appropriate outcome targets and also to link in with the games programme.
9 To implement the curriculum devised by the Head of Coaching in the Professional Development Phase. This is individually tailored to each age group, multi-disciplinary and target-specific.
10 To assist the Academy Director with the Under-18 team and, when required, the Reserve team, during all matches and during the Apprentice Professional players’ coaching and training programme.
11 To assist with the Academy coaching and games programme with the Under-14 to Under-16 age-groups, helping the transition from the Youth Development Phase to the Professional Development Phase. As such, you will be required to coach three evenings a week and manage an age-group with the floodlit cup fixtures.
12 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to develop, implement and provide evidence of a procedure to enable the transition of Academy Players to the club’s first-team squad.
13 To assist the Head of Academy Coaching to design and deliver a programme of in-house, in-service Continued Professional Development sessions which reflects the club’s football philosophy, to supplement the Continued Professional Development programme provided by the English Football League and Football Association.
14 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to work in conjunction with the club’s Medical and Sports Science Department to ensure that the Academy medical staff devise and implement a comprehensive programme for the screening, recording and profiling of every individual player’s medical history.
15 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to establish effective links with Academy players’ parents and schools. In particular, to ensure that each Academy Player receives a performance review every six weeks when in the Under-17 and Under-18 age-groups, and at such frequency as the club deems appropriate in the Under-19-Under-21 age-groups. Also to ensure parents are present twice a year at the performance reviews of all players aged Under-17 and Under-18. Further, to ensure that the parents of each Academy Player aged Under-17 and Under-18 are provided each year, during either May or June, with an annual written report on all aspects of the Player’s performance and development.
16 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to ensure the efficient registration of all Academy players and trialists. In particular, to be responsible for the critically important documentation required in connection with:
• initial registrations;
• retention agreements;
• the preparation of apprentice offer for signature by the Chief Executive;
• obtaining written permission from the clubs of players registered at other Premier League or English Football League clubs that will be playing for our club as trialists;
• the registration on Pre-Contract agreements of schoolboy players recruited from, or released, by other clubs that accept Apprentice Offers;
• the release of the players with or without the retention of compensation rights.
17 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to ensure that the Academy’s Talent Identification and Recruitment Programme is efficient and effective throughout the club’s permitted recruitment area, and that the procedures relating to trialists are adhered to. Also, in conjunction with the Academy Recruitment Officer, to ensure that all scouts are issued with a Code of Conduct and photographic ID, and have completed the FA Talent Identification course.
18 To establish effective liaison with County Associations, clubs, leagues and governing bodies.
19 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to liaise with the Community Trust Manager on key community issues.
20 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager to ensure that the Academy’s facilities and accommodation complies with the minimum requirements set out for Category 3 status. Also, in the short term, to endeavour to obtain improved facilities for the coaching, sports science and games programmes. Further, to report to the Board potential solutions to the current problems associated with operating on a wide-scale multi-site basis.
21 To be committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of all young players attending the Academy, and to assist the Academy Director ensure that all staff, volunteers, parents/carers, young players, any partner agencies or any commissioned service providers share this commitment.
22 To deal with any complaints raised in accordance with the Academy complaints and discipline procedures.
23 To attend in-service training sessions and external training courses, including the Continuous Professional Development requirements as set out in English Football League and Football Association regulations relating to Youth Development.
24 To assist the Academy Director and Academy Manager in monitoring the activities of scouts and representatives of other clubs at any games and activities within the Youth Development programme. To endeavour to be aware of any possible direct or indirect approaches to any of the club’s players or their parents outside of those allowed by the rules and regulations of the Football League, Premier League and Football Association applicable to Youth Development. To work in conjunction with the Academy Director to ensure that, in the event of an Academy Player joining another club, that the club secures the maximum possible sum of compensation.
25 To attend English Football League meetings and seminars as required and to liaise with their Regional Officer, and/or representatives of the Independent Standards Organisation, to facilitate the various inspection visits to which the Academy programme will be subjected.
26 To ensure that all data related to the Academy is managed and stored in line with data protection legislation.
27 To undertake any other duties that might be reasonably directed by the Academy Director or Academy Manager.
28 To comply with terms of reference applicable to all staff as detailed in the Plymouth Argyle FC Employee Handbook.
Skills & Competencies
Essential Requirements:
• UEFA A Licence;
• FA Youth Award;
• FA Advanced Youth Award 17-21;
• Valid FA CRB Enhanced Check (immediately);
• FA Safeguarding workshop;
• Basic First Aid for Sport (BFAS);
• Driving License (with D1, to be able to drive a mini-bus for away fixtures).
BAME Declaration
The EFL has introduced positive action measures aimed at tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. New regulations require clubs to shortlist at least one suitably qualified BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for all roles in Academy football.
How to Apply
Please send a cv and covering letter to pete.bellamy@pafc.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, February 2, 2018, highlighting your previous experiences and why you may be suitable for this role.
Interviews are to be held week commencing Monday, February 5, 2018. Only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.