Lead Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach

Job Description

Colchester United Football Club is looking for a dynamic and driven Lead Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach to join our Academy Sports Science department.

The successful candidate will support the physical development of Academy players from U9 through to U21, delivering appropriate strength and conditioning, athletic development and monitoring as part of the Academy’s Sports Science and Medicine/Performance Support Programme.

Athletic Development & Strength and Conditioning

• Support the delivery of the Academy Athletic Development Plan across U9-U21.
• Deliver age-appropriate strength and conditioning programmes across the Foundation Phase (FP), Youth Development Phase (YDP) and Professional Development Phase (PDP).
• Deliver athletic development sessions to U9-U16 players.
• Provide sports science support to U18 players, including prehab, warm-ups and athletic development sessions.
• Ensure the department’s philosophy and objectives are consistently followed.

  Testing, Monitoring & Data

• Plan and deliver fitness testing, gym testing, movement screening and maturational monitoring across FP, YDP and PDP age groups throughout the season.
• Implement data-monitoring systems for U16-U21 players to analyse training and match loads.
• Provide coaches with daily feedback relating to physical training objectives.
• Ensure all relevant data is accurately recorded using Kitman Labs.

  Player & Staff Support

• Provide athletic development feedback as part of Academy six-weekly player reviews.
• Plan and support CPD for coaches, parents and players across key areas of sports science.
• Provide nutritional education to Academy players when required.

  Safeguarding & Wider Responsibilities

• Maintain accountability and responsibility for safeguarding at all times.
• Undertake any reasonable duties required by the Club’s Senior Management Team.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, or another relevant discipline, from a recognised university.
• Hold, or be working towards, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accreditation.
• Hold a current Basic First Aid for Sport qualification, EFAiF or equivalent/higher qualification.
• Hold, or be working towards, UK Strength and Conditioning Association accreditation, or equivalent workshops run by an equivalent body.
• Hold an FA Safeguarding Award and an up-to-date DBS check.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

SAFEGUARDING, EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

All staff are expected to understand and uphold the Club’s safeguarding, equality and diversity responsibilities, as well as all relevant Academy and Club policies, rules and regulations.

Colchester United Football Club is committed to creating a diverse and dynamic working environment. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.