Academy Physical Development Coach YDP/FP

Company Description

At the heart and soul of London since 1895 West Ham United is a dynamic, fan-focused football Club constantly moving forward but always with an eye on the past.

Our home at the London Stadium has a capacity of 62,500 making it one of the biggest club Stadia in the country however our tickets are the lowest priced for London based clubs in the Premier League, echoing objectives to create Affordable Family Football.

In 2018, our Women's team gained a professional status for the very first time, jumping 2 divisions and competed in the Women's Super League (WSL), the premier division of women's football in England. After finishing a respectable 7th, the team enjoyed particular success in the FA Cup reaching the final of the competition, eventually being beaten by 2017 winners Manchester City.

In April 2019, we opened our brand-new Academy facility based at Chadwell Heath which will help to bring through some of the very best talents in the area, the recent emergence of First Team Players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are a testament to the work already being done at the Academy.

On the business side, we are continuing to create a Stadium our supporters can call home, with the renaming of the Billy Bonds Stand and Claret and Blue pitch surrounding amongst the latest developments. Additionally, the Club has achieved the Disability Confident Leader status.

The Club employees a constantly growing workforce of approximately 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, and is a truly unique place to work. We welcome talented individuals who will thrive in our ambitious organisation.

In October 2023, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the Club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is the second time West Ham United has received the award, which is the top accolade that can be achieved by Premier League clubs, having first been presented with the Advanced level in 2020.

Position

Academy Physical Development Coach YDP/FP x3

Hours per week: 16

Location: Chadwell Heath/Little Heath/Rush Green

Provide elite physical development support that improves the competency, character, and capacity of the FP/YDP age groups. This should be in line with the department methodology, while positively contributing to MDT operations by providing information & insight to support decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

· As a key member of the FP and YDP programs, plan, deliver, and review physical development (on-pitch, off-pitch, Return to Play) on a whole-squad and individual player basis as needed. Assist with the delivery of other age groups, Return to Play, and Complex Cases as required.

· With direction from the Head of Physical Development and Lead FP/ YDP PDC, ensure the implementation of the Multisport Curriculum, Exercise Competency Curriculum, and Movements that Matter Competency Curriculum, so that we produce trainable athletes (Competency, Character, Capacity).

· Assist the planning, delivery, and reporting of physical profiling to the YDP age groups, Return to Play, and Complex Cases in line with department methodology.

· Implement the department system of monitoring (workload, well-being, growth and maturation, growth-related injury monitoring) with the YDP age groups including data collection, analysis-interpretation, and feedback/reporting to inform MDT communications and decision-making, in line with department methodology.

· Work in partnership with the Phase Lead and age group coaches to ensure a collaborative approach to session design and delivery that achieves both technical/tactical and physical outcomes.

· Support matchday physical performance support to YDP age groups including performance preparation, nutrition provision, and supporting the coaching team.

· Work closely with other FP and YDP physical development staff to ensure that FP and YDP players are transitioning into the next phase with the appropriate level of physical capabilities to thrive within that programme.

· Be an ambassador for the physical development team, by playing a role in improving department and academy philosophies, systems, and processes. Work collaboratively with staff to develop ideas to contribute to department alignment, best practices, and iterative improvement.

Key Performance Indicators

· YDP Players make improvements in the ‘Movements That Matter’ of the West Ham Way

· YDP Players make improvements in the ‘Underpinning Physical Qualities’ of the West Ham Way

· Minimize FP/ YDP players' time loss to injury (soft tissue/non-contact)

· Develop the movement competency of FP and YDP players in line with the Exercise Competency Curriculum, Movements That Matter Competency Curriculum and Multisport Curriculum

· Physical development support that positively impacts FP and YDP player education

Macro / Annual

· An annual plan created around LTAD in line with the department philosophy, Multisport Curriculum, Exercise Competency Curriculum, and Movements that Matter Competency Curriculum.

· Physical profiling process planned and completed a minimum of 3+ times per year as directed by the Head of Physical Development and Lead YDP PDC

· Annual review of age group physical development progress presented to key stakeholders

· FP G&M report produced and shared with relevant stakeholders

Meso / 8 Weekly Blocks

· Mesocycle plan created to support physical development

· Plan, deliver, record, reflect on, and communicate physical profiling for the YDP

· Create Individual plans as necessary relating to movement competency and stage of maturation

· YDP growth & maturation data are collected and uploaded to internal systems, this data is to be reported to relevant stakeholders and integrated into practice.

Micro / Weekly

· Plan, deliver, record, and reflect on the multisport program.

· Plan, deliver, record, and reflect on squad and individual sessions/programs inline with the Exercise Competency Curriculum and Movements that Matter Competency Curriculum

· Liaise with MDT on weekly microcycle and structure

· Liaise with MDT on session design and implementation

· Recorded off-field gym-based sessions on Teambuildr (attendance, session plan, load)

· Record and track Growth-related injury soreness

· Record and track Training load

Requirements

Education/qualifications/experience

• To engage in the necessary CPD and professional qualifications to further your expertise (ensuring all Premier League and FA stipulations are adhered to).
• BSc In a relevant field (Minimum requirement = 2.2 or better)
• Demonstrable experience working with athletes

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Long-term Athletic Development
• Knowledge of how growth and maturation affect youth footballers

Skills and abilities

• Perform duties with due regard to club policies and procedures and legislative requirements at all times
• Ensure working practices are compliant with relevant legislation and data protection legislation and/or general data protection regulations (GDPR) requirements
• Ensure, where relevant, that all performance data is captured in a timely manner onto the Performance Management Application (PMA).
• The ability to deliver pitch-based physical development sessions

Desirable

• FA Level 1, FA Level 2, FA Safeguarding, Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)
• Knowledge of Power BI
• Knowledge of the EPPP
• Knowledge of Vald systems
• Knowledge of Catapult Systems
• The ability to deliver gym-based physical development sessions

To apply for the vacancy please click the ‘apply’ button below.

Other information

Safeguarding:

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

Staff must follow the Club’s Safeguarding reporting procedures to report without delay allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything else that is or may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk. After contacting and taking guidance from the Safeguarding Team, staff must use the Club’s Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMS) to record the concern within 24 hours unless directed otherwise.

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination-free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.