Job Title: Lead Academy Coach Lower YDP (U12-U14)

Reports to: Assistant Head of Academy Football Development Location: Training Ground Department: Academy Sub-department: Coaching

The Club

Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently. Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day. We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC. We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London. We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

Job Overview

To lead the early youth development phase managing the coaching programme, staff and operations of the U12-U14 programme implementing the Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model across training and matchdays ensuring all age groups within the phase are aligned and operating to the required standard and impacting long term player development.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Phase Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the early youth development phase with regards to coaching and operations across the U12-U14 age groups managing the day to day running of the programme and ensuring the phase is operating efficiently and that the staff are adhering and delivering to the required standards
• Ensure decisions within the phase are made in the best interest of the club and player development that blends improving performance and nurturing potential to support long term development
• Ensure Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model are being implemented fully across the U12-U14 age groups acting as a role model for staff supporting their understanding
• To lead the planning of the U12-U14 schedule on a weekly, monthly and annual basis working alongside the Assistant Head of Academy Football Development
• Create planning and reflective processes for age groups U12-U14 to ensure an aligned approach to planning and delivery across the interdisciplinary team to support best practice within each session ensuring that planning and delivery is being maximised
• Create a positive and collaborative culture amongst staff within the phase that work together in the best interest of the young people they work with
• To support Head Coaches across the U12-U14 age groups with squad selection processes ensuring decisions are being made in line with Academy pathway plans and reflective of the context alongside tracking the utilisation of each player
• To lead the implementation of Academy IDP model and methodology across the U12-U14 age groups ensuring each player within the phase has a tailored IDP to their individual needs
• To support the design and implementation of Academy games programme for U12-U14 age groups ensuring suitable games and adequate minutes for all players within the phase
• To be a key stakeholder in recruitment, squad review and individual player progress assessment processes providing diligent insights and acting with integrity
• To track the development of each player within the early youth development phase ensuring each player is receiving adequate support to achieve their potential
• Line manage staff within the early youth development phase completing 1-1 support and feedback as required ensuring there are clear roles, responsibilities and workflows and that staff are performing to the required standard
• Support with staff scheduling ensuring all training and games across age groups U12-U14 are appropriately covered
• To act as a senior point of contact for parents of players within the phase providing support, delivering inductions and workshops as required
• Support with the development of coaching staff alongside the Head of Academy Football Development and Assistant Head of Academy Football Development completing training and game observations, DAP meetings providing feedback as requested and delivering CPD events as required in line with coach development processes.
• To complete all tasks as directed by the Head of Academy Football Development and Assistant Head of Academy Football Development

Head Coach Responsibilities

• Plan and lead an elite level of coaching for the assigned age group within the early YDP, delivering the Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model across both training and games
• Make decisions in the best interest of the club and player development that blends improving performance and nurturing potential to support long term development
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT) for the assigned age group leading the day to day operations of the IDT to support the holistic development and wellbeing of each individual
• Form positive relationships with players and their families and motivate them towards achieving their potential
• Lead the design and implementation of individual development plans both on pitch and off pitch for the assigned age group and provide feedback to players in line with IDP processes and timelines
• Work closely with the Assistant Coach of the assigned age group ensuring a collaborative approach whilst being responsible for creating clear roles and responsibilities across training and games for you as a coaching team.
• Complete assessments and provide IDT notes for the assigned age group as required
• Work with recruitment staff and complete trialists assessments as required
• Complete all administrative duties regarding planning and data capture as required including the logging of relevant information to support players with their IDP’s (training attendance, game time & IDP progress tracking) maintaining up to date records on club systems as required by the Premier League and club
• Support planning and delivery of analysis provision as required for both individuals and team utilising analysis as a learning tool in an age-appropriate manner in line with Academy analysis processes
• Co-ordinate the filming of all training sessions and games and any other necessary sessions for your designated age group coding as required
• Create and delivery pre and post-match workshops to support performance and reflection as appropriate
• Share all video footage and coded events internally with staff and players via Hudl
• Assist with the Academy’s databasing processes to support alignment across age groups, creating libraries of material to support learning and capture of best practice for individuals and team across training matchdays
• Work in collaboration with Academy coaching and analysis staff tom efficiently deliver the analysis programme to the highest standard
• Maintain up to date records of training and game time on club systems as required by the Premier league as directed by the club
• Work with recruitment staff and complete trialists assessments as required
• Maintain up to date records of training and game time on club systems as required by the Premier league as directed by the club
• Attend all relevant CPD events and work with the Head of Academy Football Development & Assistant Head of Academy Football Development to develop self in line with Academy coach competency framework and development action plan
• To travel domestically and internationally as required
• To provide coaching cover for other Academy age groups as required to support delivery of programme and personal development
• To carry out any other duties as directed by senior Academy staff
• Work to ensure the Academy is continually achieving standards required within the EPPP guidelines
• To ensure that any concerns you observe or are raised with you in your role are shared with the safeguarding team through appropriate channels.