Lead Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach

Lead Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach

• Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Founded in 1932, Wigan Athletic were elected to the Football League in 1978 and were promoted out of the Fourth Division in 1981/82. Latics won the Third Division title in 1996/97, the Football League Trophy in 1999, and the Second Division in 2002/03, before securing promotion to the Premier League in 2004/05. Founded in 1872, Wigan Warriors are joint record five-time World Club Challenge winners, record 21-time Challenge Cup winners, and record 23-time league title winners.

Latics famously won the FA Cup in 2013, beating Premier League giants Manchester City in the Final. However, Latics were relegated later that year, bringing its memorable eight-season stay in the top flight to an end. The FA Cup success did, though, mean Latics gained their place in the UEFA Europa League the following season. Relegated from the Championship in 2014/2015, the Club won the League One title in 2015/16 and repeated this feat in 2017/18 and 2021/22 respectively. Wigan Warriors is undoubtedly one of the most successful teams in Rugby League and world sports. Playing in the Betfred Super League, the Warriors currently holdall four of the major trophies available under head coach Matty Peet.

Some of the most famous players in the sport have worn the cherry and white shirts from Jim Sullivan and Billy Boston to modern-day superstars such as Sean O'Loughlin and Bevan French, whereas multiple greats have donned the blue and white of Latics from Tommy Gore and Emmerson Boyce to current local heroes Sam Tickle and James Carragher.

Now under joint ownership, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors are stronger together and continue to work in collaboration for the benefit of both clubs and their fanbases.

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people, as well as being an equal opportunities employer; we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Criminal Record Check (DBS).

Whilst we endeavour to respond to every applicant, please note that due to the number of applications we receive, only those selected for an interview may be contacted.

Reports to: Head of Academy Sports Science & Academy Manager

Job Purpose

You will be responsible for providing appropriate strength and conditioning training to the Club's Academy players as part of the Sports Science and Medicine/Performance Support Programme.

Key responsibilities and duties

• Lead the Academy Strength and Conditioning programme, strength, power, and injury prevention programs for PDP players, including planning, periodising, monitoring and documenting sessions.
• Assist with pitch-based speed, change of direction, agility, and conditioning sessions to PDP players.
• Lead the PDP preactivation and gym-based testing across the PDP, YDP and FP phases.
• Support and lead the strength and conditioning provision for YDP and FP players including strength, speed, movement, and power programs both as full group and on an individual basis.
• Develop and implement appropriate movement screening for players PDP, YDP and FP.
• Lead detailed injury prevention programmes for all PDP and YDP (U13 - U16) players.
• Ensure regular anthropometric testing, including regular body fat composition (PDP) for all PDP and YDP players.
• Work in collaboration with Academy medical staff on gym-based rehabilitation programmes with injured players. This may also include U21 and 1st team players on occasions.
• Support nutrition provision/ education to PDP players and educate on nutrition strategies for performance & recovery.
• Work in collaboration with all members of the medical and sport science department to promote best practice and contribute to departmental CPD sessions.
• Lead U18 sports science match day support in terms of preparation, nutrition, monitoring, hydration and recovery to PDP players.
• Complete regular gym-based testing and benchmarking across all academy age groups to monitor physical development.
• Undertake CPD organised by the Club, contributing to department CPD sessions to staff and players

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum of a BSc (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning, Sports Science, or a related field
• Working towards or holding BASES accreditation
• UKSCA accreditation, or the ability to complete it within 6 months
• An up-to-date Emergency First Aid qualification (EFAiF), or willingness to complete this within 6 months

Wigan Athletic is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Wigan Athletic is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk during events and activities. The Club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these vulnerable groups by a commitment to procedures to protect them. The Club expects all staff and volunteers to respect them.

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