Vacancy: Academy coach (Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme)

Job Advert Reference: AFCB0023

Title: Academy Coach (Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme)

Location: Various club sites including Vitality Stadium & Academy training ground

Contract: 23-month fixed term, full time, 35 hours per week (Monday-Sunday)

Salary: £30,000 per annum

ABOUT THE SCHEME

Professional football must better reflect modern Britain. AFC Bournemouth in partnership with the Premier League, are seeking to improve the diversity of football coaches in the professional game to make this area more representative of society and the playing population.

As part of our commitment to improving diversity, we are proud to be able to support the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme, season 2024/2025, by providing a high quality fixed-term employment opportunity to develop under-represented groups within the football industry.

The scheme is open to coaches who are currently under-represented within English professional football – male coaches from Black, South-Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, and Women coaches from all backgrounds. We believe that having greater diversity helps the whole club to perform better both on and off the pitch.

ABOUT AFC BOURNEMOUTH

Entering an exciting new chapter in our long and storied history, we are proud to retain a focus on family and community. Delivering that engagement with our loyal supporters is a passionate and integrated backroom staff, working closely together to provide a positive and lasting experience for all at Vitality Stadium.

Since our takeover by chairman Bill Foley, in a partnership including Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan, the club has seen significant investment committed towards sustaining Premier League status, highlighted by the construction of a state-of-the-art training facility and the arrival of promising young talent from top clubs around Europe.

These developments also bring a great opportunity to further improve our women’s team and youth setup overall.

In the Academy, there is a continued focus to become a Category Two academy, and this appointment will play a key role in that. This is a really exciting time to join the academy, as we move on to the next stage and continue to support the first team.

Academy values:

• Players first: holding individual player development as the main intention behind decisions made as a coach and wider professional.

• Togetherness: working in a prosocial manner as part of a wider team – willing to contribute beyond own interests.

• Integrity: carrying out academy and club values in an open and honest manner.

• Accountability: willing to take responsibility for actions in a manner which allows learning, growth and reflection.

WHAT IS THE COACH INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY SCHEME?

CIDS provides a 23-month fixed-term employment opportunity and development programme for the successful candidate. The club will act as the ‘base’ of employment and the individual will work across a variety of football functions within the club to broaden their learning experience.

The fixed-term employment opportunity will include coaching and observation across the academy, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams. Successful applicants will enter the Premier League’s Coach Development Programme which is accredited by Leeds Beckett University.

Upon successful completion of the programme, coaches will receive a diploma in professional football coaching. The development programme includes mentoring, workshops, peer learning, projects, and need-led access to FA/UEFA coaching qualifications.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME

• To increase the number of coaches who are from Black, South-Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, including women from all backgrounds in full-time coaching positions in English professional football

• To provide coaches on the scheme with a fixed-term employment contract and development opportunities within a Premier League or EFL Clubs

• To substantially improve long-term employment prospects for coaches who complete the scheme

• To provide each of the coaches with their own development programme to ensure that they are appropriately supported to become successful coaches and visible role models

• To assist in diversifying the workforce at Premier League or EFL Clubs, promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion

MAIN DUTIES

• Enrol on Premier League’s Coach Development Programme, accredited by Leeds Beckett University and working towards obtaining a diploma in professional football coaching.

• Plan, deliver, review and reflect on all training and fixtures for the Under 13 age group in conjunction with Lead Phase (U13-16) or Lead Cell (U13-14) Coach, consistent with the methodology as outlined in the AFC Bournemouth Academy Performance Plan.

• Write and support / lead player reviews, four times per season with players and parents/guardians, including planning, delivering and reviewing individual development plans and completing all relevant regular feedback on club platforms

• To ensure all the Under 13 age group squad players fully understand and adhere to rules & guidelines set out for them and manage individual players, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary staff, accordingly

• Liaise and co-ordinate, with the operations department, the organisation of the Under 13 age group squad, where applicable

• Fully part-take in all academy coaching development opportunities, including but not limited to continued professional development sessions, weekly meetings, external development opportunities and individual development processes

• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.

• As a member of staff to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.

• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.

• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.

• This is a positive action scheme aimed at addressing some currently under-represented groups within the English professional game. CIDS is a development opportunity for male coaches from Black, South-Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, and female coaches from all backgrounds. Applications will only be accepted from individuals from those backgrounds.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Coaches must not have previous experience of holding a full-time coaching role in a Premier League or EFL club

Desirable

• Experience of delivering effective and engaging coaching and player development support to children and young people (e.g. in education, grassroots, community coaching, or part-time development centre or academy setting)

• Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis

• Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond sport.

QUALIFICATIONS

• UEFA B Licence

• Current FA Safeguarding Certificate (prior to commencing role)

• Enhanced DBS Clearance (prior to commencing role)

• Emergency First Aid Certificate (prior to commencing role)

Desirable

• UEFA A Licence

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The club’s values are at the core of its staff behaviour and how they approach everything they do, therefore we are looking for someone is honest, inclusive, kind, hardworking and loyal.

• Drive to become a football coach in English professional football and to help individual players, and teams, to successfully develop and perform.

• Passion to create developmentally appropriate learning environments for players.

• Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high performing environment.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and relationship building expertise.

• Resilience for the everyday rigours of high-performance football environments.

• High potential to be a world-class football coach and visible role model.

STAFF BENEFITS

In return for your hard work and commitment to us, you will receive a competitive reward package which will include, but is not limited to:

• Free onsite parking

• Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets

• Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day

• Discounts at the club Superstore

• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses

• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses

• Club pension and life assurance scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) by Health Assured

• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year)

• Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team

• Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year)

• Paid day’s leave on your birthday.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are welcome from male coaches who are from Black, South-Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, and female coaches from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made for any applicant with a disability, and these should be requested directly to [email protected].

AFC Bournemouth and Premier League believe in equal opportunities and all applications will be assessed on merit only. All personal data that the applicant shares on the equality monitoring form will be submitted separately and not form any part of the application process.

This information is collected simply to see if our advert is reaching a wide and diverse range of applicants who are applying for this role. The successful candidate will be selected based on merit as measured against the person specification, set out above.

Please follow these guidelines to apply.

AFC Bournemouth will only consider applications from male coaches who are from Black, South-Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds, including female coaches from all backgrounds.

1. Please demonstrate in your covering letter of no more than two pages, that you meet each of the criteria for the CIDS.

a. Eligibility for CIDS positive action scheme, role and development opportunity

b. Experience

c. Qualifications

d. Person specification

2. In addition, please include answers to the following questions in your covering letter.

a. Why you are attracted to the CIDS, and your ambitions for this specific role?

b. How does CIDS fit into your career plan, and the personal and professional development you have undertaken to prepare yourself for this role?

c. How would your unique expertise and experiences positively impact upon the club, our academy colleagues, and the players we support?

d. What are your short, medium and long term career ambitions?

e. What are your core values, and how they impact your coaching?

By submitting your application, you are agreeing to AFC Bournemouth and the Premier League processing your personal details for the purpose of administering and evaluating the scheme in accordance with AFC Bournemouth and the Premier League’s privacy notices.

Please send your application form and cover letter to [email protected] by midnight 24th May 2024.

Please note, first stage interviews will take place week commencing 17th June 2024 with a view to start the second stage of interviews with a practical assessment week commencing 8th July 2024.

AFC Bournemouth is an equal opportunities employer and ensures staff and volunteers are able to achieve their full potential.

We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion and embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society.

We take our responsibility seriously, to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

We actively encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from ethnically diverse communities.

For further information on accessibility within the stadium please click here.

AFC Bournemouth is committed to protecting all children, young persons, and adults at risk in its care or attending its premises and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

For all positions where a DBS check is required, an offer of employment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level.

Any and all potential agreements, relationships or commitments that could be considered a conflict of interest should be disclosed upon application to this vacancy by emailing [email protected].

You will also be asked whether you have any conflicts to disclose upon receipt of your application.

Satisfactory references will be required for all positions, your eligibility to work with the club will be subject to receiving appropriate referencing.

We strive to create a positive and safe environment and ensure all who interact with the club feel safe, protected, and heard.

AFC Bournemouth can exercise their right to perform external searches and to confirm information provided by candidates. It does not retain any data during this process.