ROLE DESCRIPTION

About the job
JOB TITLE - Age Group Assistant Coach
DEPARTMENT - Academy
REPORTING TO - Dual Age Band Head Coach
CONTRACT - 20 hours working across any seven days.


JOB FUNCTION

As an Assistant coach you will support the Lead / Head coach in the delivery of the Academy coaching programme, to a single age group, within a dual age band. You will be responsible for maximising the development of our young players to reach their full potential in line with the Chelsea Academy vision and philosophy.
Beyond the pitch, you will set standards of respect and discipline for players, ensuring these are constantly met and evolved as they develop.


MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

COACHING
TRACKING PERFORMANCE & FEEDBACK
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
GENERAL


1. COACHING:

Assist delivery of the Academy coaching cycle to maximise player potential, whilst supporting various processes tailored to managing talent across our age groups.


1.1 Talent management

Squad selection: Support, when necessary, the selection of players for various academy activities including weekly development fixtures, performance-based matches such as cup fixtures and tournaments, and international tours.
Player transitions: Assist the Lead coach in effectively managing player transitions within your age group including; retain & release, annual coach-coach handover, players playing across multiple programmes.
Trial players: Integrate trial players into the age-group training and game programme. Provide ample opportunities during the trial period, with a focus on ensuring a varied and enriching experience.


1.2 Coaching Cycle

Working collaboratively with your coaching team ensure a player centred, multidisciplinary approach is adopted and applied through the Plan, Do, Review process.
Plan: Support the Lead coach in effectively preparing for all coaching activities, considering micro (session), short-term (weekly), medium-term (termly), long-term (annual) planning. Take responsibility for planning, with excellent depth, your contribution to all training sessions, games programme activities, feedback sessions and football education workshops.
Do: Deliver coaching activities based upon the needs of individual players and the age-group, drawing upon the CFC Academy coaching frameworks (playing principles, game model, individual action plans), utilising all relevant support staff.
Review: Participate in data informed review processes taking place across your age group. These include, Player assessment (training & match scores), coaching reflection (micro, short, medium, long).


2. TRACKING PERFORMANCE & FEEDBACK:

Utilising our performance systems, support the management & tracking of player progress to enable age-appropriate feedback is delivered in-line with our player review cycle.


2.1 Data collection

Support the collection of match & training player assessment data. Demonstrate an awareness of various other data sources (e.g. performance analysis and physical testing data) that are collected within your age group.


2.2 Player development discussion

Case study review (CSR) preparation: As deemed appropriate by the Lead coach, you will have responsibility to prepare CSR meeting content, for a number of players from within your age group, utilising the appropriate performance systems. When not leading meetings ensure you have effectively prepared to contribute by reading meeting notes in advance of the meeting.
CSR meeting: Contribute, in a variety of ways, to all CSR meetings within your age group. enabling a productive, outcome driven, player development discussion.


2.3 Feedback

Parent & Player: Support, in various ways as deemed appropriate by the Lead coach, the effective delivery of feedback to your age group, in-line with our player review cycle (CSR meetings, mid & end of season performance reports).
Trial players: Assist the recruitment department by providing appropriate insight regarding all trial players.


3. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Engage in professional and personal development initiatives, by working with the Head of Coaching & Coach Development / Head of Programme & Player Development.


3.1 Professional development

Engage in mandatory club, national governing body, premier league CPD obligations and qualifications. Participate in all relevant academy CPD activities and sessions.


3.2 Personal development

Engage in self-analysis and reflection processes, such as: Performance reviews, Coach competency framework analysis and Individual development plan.


4. GENERAL:

To display high standards of conduct and behaviours in-line with our football club values and policies, to create a safe and positive environment for all.


4.1 Safeguarding

Ensure the safety and well-being of all players and staff by giving appropriate support and reporting any concerns immediately.


4.2 Character

Demonstrate hardworking, open-minded & empathetic behaviours, promoting a ‘can-do’ attitude and positive body language in the workplace.


4.3 Public perception

Portray a positive public perception of the Academy through any media (internal and external), and within external bodies such as the FA, Premier League, and others in the game. always adhering to the Academy social media policy.


PERSONAL SPECIFICATION:

Qualifications:

Essential

UEFA A License
FA Advanced Youth Award
Valid driving license
Enhanced DBS check


Desirable

Undergraduate degree in sports related subject


Experience:

Essential

Coaching experience within the relevant age groups in an Academy or an alternative elite coaching environment.
Ability to effectively manage player, parent, and staff relationships.
Prepared to work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.
IT skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Prepared to travel on tours in the UK & Europe.


The Employee must always carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to Academy policies and procedures in particular Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and regarding the Data Protection Act. The Employee must act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are in their care or attending the Company's premises. The Employee must report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the Safeguarding Lead.

Chelsea Football Club is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people, and adults at risk (vulnerable groups) that are in our care or attending our premises. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.



The Employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst Employees and customers.

The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.