VACANCY: Head academy strength and conditioning coach

Tuesday 28 February 2017 Written by: Adam


**Purpose Of the role**

• To plan, deliver and review all aspects of strength and conditioning within the academy. The main focus of the role is on individual player development.

**Main duties and responsibilities**

• Lead and manage all senior academy physical development programmes in line with academy directives, working in conjunction with other staff and overseeing all junior academy EAP programmes.

• Attend all Academy training sessions and A-Team fixtures, providing warm-ups to all field-based sessions and matches in conjunction with other staff.

• Plan, deliver and review individual physical development programmes for each EAP in the senior academy and junior academy that is tailored to their development needs and relative training ability, visiting off-site where appropriate and providing regular feedback to players.

• Update coaches weekly on individual player progress, communicating with international age group staff
and liaising with university and dual-registered club staff where appropriate.

• Oversee the junior academy programme to ensure that the physical development support structure is robust and that staff have the support they need to complete their jobs effectively.

• Ensure that all RFU/PRL audit requirements are completed on time and that all PGB minimum standards are met.

• Provide nutritional support and guidance to academy players as well as educating the wider rugby community on appropriate strength and conditioning and nutritional interventions.

• Provide advice and guidance to the associate academy group at monthly sessions, educating players
where appropriate on strength and conditioning, nutrition and lifestyle.

• Liaise with the head academy physiotherapist to devise and deliver injured players’ rehabilitation
programmes each week to senior academy players.

• Manage and maintain up-to-date records of all senior academy and junior academy EAPs including daily screening, training loads, playing times and measuring player progress over time through comparable testing protocols.

**Skills and competencies**

• Experience working in a rugby environment and understanding of youth development/physiology.

• Appropriate professional qualifications including relevant degree and UKSCA (or equivalent).

• Flexibility to work unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Organised and efficient, able to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Initiative and creativity in finding new ways to challenge/stimulate players in their development.

• Enhanced DBS clearance and a full driving licence with access to a car/transport.

All those wishing to apply should email a full CV and covering letter to **mark.laycock@newcastle-falcons.co.uk** .

**Closing Date –** Thursday 16th March 2017.

**Interviews –** Thursday 23rd March and Friday 24th March 2017.