Para Physical Performance Coach – Women's Teams (Casual)

To support the delivery of an excellent Physical Performance programme to, primarily, the England Para Football women's teams, by helping to develop resilient and high-performing Para Footballers that contribute to England Para Football medal success.

This is a casual contract, which will initially run until 31st July 2025. It is anticipated that you will be required for approximately 30 days/100 hours, with the requirement to travel overseas when needed.

Please include a cover letter with your application outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria.

This will be a two stage process, with the first stage interview being held week beginning 17th February at The National Football Centre, St. George's Park. For those successful at first stage there will be a second stage practical assessment on the weekend of 22nd/23rd February.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Take responsibility for designing and delivering individualised, evidence-based strength, conditioning, and injury prevention programmes tailored to the specific needs of female athletes;
• Drive forward knowledge of optimal training, recovery and injury prevention female para players;
• Use data from fitness assessments, training loads, and game performances to make informed decisions and provide actionable feedback that drives improvement and ensures peak physical performance during competition;
• Regularly assess the physical progress of players and adjust training plans accordingly to optimise performance while minimising injury risk;
• Continuously monitor player performance, including physical fitness, match related data and recovery status;
• Create a supportive and empowering training atmosphere that prioritises the mental and physical well-being of female players; understand and address the unique challenges women may face in elite football performance, including considerations for menstrual health, injury risks, and performance psychology.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with England Para Football national coaches and performance support staff to ensure an effective multi-disciplinary approach to physical performance delivery;
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the Para Football Physical Performance Lead and Para Football Physio Lead to ensure a smooth and effective transition of care for any injuries that are reported on or off camp;
• Maintain clear communication regarding physical performance, recovery protocols, and overall health to support the team's success both on and off the field.
• Deliver hydration strategies, warm ups and cool downs, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team whilst on camp with England Para Football squads;
• Help administer and collect relevant physical performance data when on camps (e.g., anthropometry, hydration, GPS and heart rate);
• Contribute to the collection, storage and analysis of relevant physical performance data (e.g., GPS, heart rate and physical testing);
• Coordinate with squad doctor and lead physiotherapist to ensure that players undergoing rehabilitation programmes are adhering to advice and remote monitoring;
• Comply with all mandated training (i.e., UKAD Advisor, CRC check, Safeguarding, Mental Health Training) to facilitate compliance with all safeguarding policies;
• Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
• As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What Will You Need?

Essential for the role:

Knowledge

• Completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. BSc Sport and Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning)
• Knowledge of the unique demands of Para sport, particularly football;
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique physical and physiological needs of female football players;
• Understanding of injury prevention within the sport, rehabilitation, and recovery strategies with a clear ability to improve athletic performance while managing player health and longevity;

Experience

• At least 2 years of experience working as a physical performance coach with female athletes;
• In-depth understanding of soccer-specific physical demands, including strength, speed, endurance, agility, and power;
• Experience working with live and/or retrospective GPS and/or heart rate systems;
• High emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to build rapport with athletes, fostering trust and mutual respect, are essential for long-term success
• Experience of working in Para sport or with Para athletes;

Technical Skills

• Outstanding ability to communicate and build relationships with players, coaching staff, and other stakeholders (e.g., parents);
• Ability to create presentations and present to a wide range of key stakeholders
• Excellent IT skills, particularly working with MS Excel;

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge

• Completed a postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. BSc Sport and Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning);
• Understanding of the physical demands of female futsal;
• Ability to integrate new techniques, technologies, and evidence-based practices into training programs to maximise player performance and recovery;
• An understanding of Para athletes' needs;
• Understanding of reliability and validity within physical testing scenarios;

 Experience

• Experience with injury prevention, rehabilitation, and recovery strategies;
• Experience in working in international sport and travelling with squads, both as an athlete or as a staff member;
• Evidence of previous lone working;
• Experience in working in men's and/or women's club football;
• Evidence of undertaking virtual consultations and delivering exercises remotely;
• Working towards UKSCA, BASES or other accreditations within professional bodies;

Technical Skills

• Currently hold, or working towards an FA Emergency First Aid Level 3;
• Currently hold, or working towards an FA Safeguarding;
• Currently hold an FA DBS Check;

What's in it for you?

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive rate of pay as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role.

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, and by doing this we offer top-of-the-range facilities across two core business locations. We have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English football. We are also delighted to have a world-class Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.