Organisation Derby County Football Club Salary Competitive salary, salary dependent on experience Location Derby Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 4 August 2024 Job Description U15-U21 Individual Player Development Lead
Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season, and is under the management of Head Coach Paul Warne. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.
Derby County Football Club has an opportunity to join our Academy Coaching Team at our Category One Academy as U15-U21 Individual Player Development Lead.
Our Academy's vision is to continue to provide talented, well-balanced young professional footballers for Derby County's first-team squad and become recognised as the ‘Academy of Choice’ for young players within our local area and beyond.
Our mission is to identify, develop, and support talented young footballers so that they can achieve their maximum potential in a positive, supportive, and professional learning environment.
The successful candidate will ensure all players within the U15 – U21 age groups have a tailored individual learning plan (ILP) in line with the Academy’s position-specific player profiles and Academy game model.
Key Responsibilities:
•Design and evolve position-specific profiles aligned with the Derby County Academy Game Model.
•To oversee the delivery (as well as delivery) of high-quality, structured, technical sessions in line with the game model and individual player position characteristics.
•Design and implement a position-specific training programme to enable the players to gain detailed coaching relevant to their role within a Derby County Academy team.
•Lead delivery of individual and unit-specific sessions alongside the age group coaches.
•Develop a position-specific drill library that relates to the academy game model.
•Work with the Academy Analysis team to analyse and monitor individuals' match performances against the club's positional requirements.
•Work with the Academy Performance team to design and implement detailed individual physical programmes to enable the players to perform their roles best, aligned to physical metrics.
•Work with the Head of Coach Education to implement the development of individual planning development planning in the CPD programme for coaches.
•Along with the age-group coaches, ensure all players' game time within the PDP is optimal and set up sessions for those requiring additional work.
•To ensure the accurate monitoring, tracking, measurement and recording of player progress across the U15 – U21 age groups using the appropriate platforms.
•Work closely with all age group coaches (U15-U21) to plan, deliver and review coaching sessions associated with the game craft model and curriculum.
•Take a specific role on matchdays working across the U15 – U21 age groups, concentrating on individuals and the key focus areas of their ILP.
•Where required coach within the U15 – U21 age group sessions and support matchdays.
•Work with the Player Pathways Lead to ensure those players on loan receive feedback, analysis and coaching sessions appropriate to their IDP and areas for development.
•Working alongside the Player Pathways Lead, contribute the technical/tactical information to the PDP player's exit dossier, ready for distribution to other Clubs.
•Liaise with key contacts and head coaches of the national teams when Derby County players play for their country. Gain feedback, observe matches and monitor their performance.
•Ensure that all players receive feedback in line with the academy review process and that a targeted, individualised approach is evident to support learning and development based on each player's needs.
•Work collaboratively with MDT staff to ensure effective planning and review of the player development strategy for targeted individuals and groups of players.
•Develop strong relationships with the U15 - U21 YDP staff to support players' transition through the system.
•Contribute to player audit processes, player reviews and case study sessions where appropriate.
Personal characteristics and experience:
•Experience in delivering individual and player development coaching
•Experience of coaching within a Category 1 academy in the PDP
•Experience of using the Performance Management Application (PMA)
•Experience working as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team
•Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with individual players, units and teams
•Ability to organise, schedule and adapt work tasks to meet conflicting deadlines and respond to changing situations
•Confidence and assertiveness
•Team player
•Committed to creating and upholding high standards
Essential Qualifications
•UEFA A Licence
•FA Advanced Youth Award
•FA Level 2 Emergency Aid in Football
•FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
Desirable Qualifications
•UEFA Pro License
Competitive salary, salary dependent on experience
The role is full-time, working 35 hours per week. Due to the demands of a professional football environment, working evenings and weekends is required in line with the Academy Programme.
Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity, and progress.
Our core values are:
•We are proud of who we are and what we do
•We are positive, inspired and passionate
•We are ambitious and driven
•We are prepared, honest and humble
•We are the heartbeat of our community
•We are the club of opportunity
Derby County employee benefits include:
•25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
•Two complimentary staff season tickets
•Two complimentary staff away memberships
•20% discount at DCFC Megastore
•Company Pension with Aviva
•Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
•Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts
•Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’
•Training and development opportunities
•Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
•Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.
Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.
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The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 04 August 2024. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
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