Head of Academy Athletic Performance

Reports to: Academy Manager / Head of Athletic Performance

Hours: 40 hours each week

Closing date: Friday 25 October 2024, 5PM

Interview date: W/C 28 October 2024

Main area of responsibility:

To lead the physical development at Leicester Tigers Academy. To plan, deliver and review all aspects of physical development within the academy, with a focus on individual player development.

Key tasks:

• Lead and manage all physical development components of the Academy in line with club directives, working in conjunction with other members of staff and taking a lead role in the development of academy players.
• Oversee the planning, delivery and review of bespoke physical development programmes for each player in the senior academy and selected academy players (EAP’s). Visiting off site where appropriate and providing regular feedback to players.
• Collect, collate and track objective physical capacity metrics for all academy players including training loads, playing
  times and gym based metrics in line with the Clubs’ physical performance philosophy.
• Teach, review and reinforce professional habit and lifestyle formation and maintenance.
• Oversee the planning, delivery and review of Academy and Junior Academy and College programmes to ensure that the physical development pathway is robust. Providing feedback and developing staff.
• Liaise with loan club physical performance staff on player training load and key performance metrics to ensure a synergistic transition from Leicester Tigers to external club and vice versa
• To work effectively as a member of the Academy inter-disciplinary team on planning, performance review and player case conferencing.
• Liaise with the Head Academy Physiotherapist to devise and deliver rehabilitation programmes each week to academy players.
• Ensure that all RFU/PRL audit requirements are completed on time and that all PGB minimum standards are met.
• Provide workshops and guidance as part of the academy lifestyle programme.

Key skills:

• Excellent understanding and practical application of long-term physical development.
• Excellent understanding of growth & maturation and its implications on the development of athletes.
• An understanding of social, emotional and psychological elements that can affect adolescent performance.
• Ability to plan and deliver strength & conditioning programmes to achieve a genuine performance impact.
• Ability to use a range of testing procedures to inform training programmes.
• Experience in the collection and practical application of GPS data.
• Expert in the use of a range of data collection, analysis and presentation software. (ForceDecks, Catapult, NordBord, etc)
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Experience leading and developing others.

Person Specification:

• Significant experience of coaching in an Academy or high-performance environment including at least 2 years’ experience of coaching 16-21 year olds.
• Hard working, self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure.
• The flexibility and energy to work long unsocial hours including evenings and weekends.
• Excellent planning, organisation, delegation and time management skills.
• An engaging presenter with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Has initiative and an ability to manage a challenging and varied workload.
• Possession of a valid UK driving licence with access to own vehicle.
• Ability to attain a valid & clear enhanced DBS Clearance, with an awareness of player welfare and child protection issues.
• Must currently have the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent in Sports Science or related subject
• UKSCA accreditation
• Anti-Doping advisor
• First Aid certificate