Academy Coach (Casual)

Cheltenham Town FC Academy is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Academy Coach to support the planning and delivery of our training and games programme. Reporting to the Head of Coaching, Phase Lead Coach and Cell Lead Coach, you will support the football and holistic development of players within your age group, designing and delivering age-appropriate sessions that give players maximum opportunity to practise, develop and learn in line with the club's playing and coaching philosophy.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the Academy coaching curriculum consistently, in line with the club's playing and coaching philosophy
• Design and implement age-appropriate sessions that maximise player practice and learning
• Plan and deliver against players' Individual Learning Plans, designing practices that allow players to work on their ILP targets
• Provide regular updates to your cell and phase leads to support the multi-disciplinary team review process
• Complete FA CPD to maintain your FAN/licence, and club CPD as part of an ongoing development action plan
• Undertake such other duties as may be appropriate to support the Academy Manager / Head of Coach Developmen

Commitment

This is a casual/sessional role. The minimum commitment is two coaching sessions per week plus games on a Sunday, with additional sessions required from time to time. Training is delivered across the University of Gloucestershire (Oxstalls Campus), Cleeve School and Seasons Training Ground, and the role involves regular travel to fixtures. A UK driving licence is required.

• UEFA B Licence (minimum qualification for this post)
• FA Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate
• EFAiF - Emergency First Aid in Football (or willingness to obtain)
• Experience in a football coaching or mentoring/coaching role
• Knowledge and/or experience in at least three of: the process of learning in young people (pedagogy), designing and running development programmes, football coaching, sports psychology
• ICT competence, including PMA, Excel and Word
• UK driving licence and DBS clearance
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and player welfare
• FA Advanced Youth Award (or working towards)
• Previous experience within an elite or Academy football environment

Personal attributes: work ethic, integrity, a solutions-focused mindset, enjoyment, and responsibility - alongside a genuine passion for working with young people and a collaborative approach to player development.

About The Club

Cheltenham Town FC operates a growing Category 3 Academy staffed by a dedicated and experienced team striving to be the best they possibly can be. The club continues to strengthen its player pathways and invest further in the Academy programme, giving local boys the best possible opportunity to develop and progress. You would be joining an environment built on continuous improvement, multi-disciplinary working and a clear commitment to putting the player at the centre of everything we do.

Safeguarding

Cheltenham Town FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff, casual workers and volunteers to share that commitment. The Academy operates in line with The FA's Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures and the club's own child protection procedures.

This post involves regulated activity with children and is therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The successful candidate will be required to complete an FA Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, provide satisfactory references, and complete The FA Safeguarding Children workshop. Applicants must disclose all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, including those that would otherwise be considered spent. A criminal record will not necessarily bar an applicant from appointment; each case is considered on its individual merits. The club follows safer recruitment practices and all appointments are conditional on these checks being completed to the club's satisfaction.