Academy Junior Performance Coach

Crystal Palace FC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A Premier League Football Club is seeking a Junior Performance Coach to oversee the athletic development of youth players, from U9 to U16. The role involves planning and delivering pitch and gym sessions, monitoring player progress, and working closely with coaching staff. Applicants should have postgraduate education and experience in professional sports, with proficiency in data analysis tools. This position offers benefits such as complimentary match tickets and health programs.

Benefits

Complimentary match day ticket

Reward and Discount Scheme

Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme

20% Discount in Retail Stores

Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off

Travel Season Ticket loan

Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering fitness testing protocols.
• Experience in delivery at both senior and youth levels.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver pitch based athletic development sessions.
• Conduct physical testing, monitoring, and collection of growth and maturation data.
• Present to and collaborate with the medical and coaching departments.

Skills

Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in Power BI and RStudio

Ability to build strong relationships with players and staff

Experience working in a professional sport setting

Passionate about the development of youth athletes

Experience as a player or coach in football

Education

Educated to Postgraduate level or equivalent

Professional accreditation through BASES (or ability to achieve in 6 months)

Job description

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 11th December 2026

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.

We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

The Junior Performance Coach oversees the pitch-based athletic development of players in the YDP and FP. The role is player-facing while also contributing to system design across both FP and YDP phases, guiding player development from U9 – U16. Collaboration with the wider MDT especially around sensitive periods of growth and development is essential for success in the role. You will also contribute to the wider performance team strategy, managing the studentship program and ensure full compliance with Premier League standards.

Programming & Delivery

• Plan and deliver pitch based athletic development sessions to the Youth and Foundation Phases.
• Deliver gym based athletic development sessions to the Youth and Foundation Phases.
• Organise and lead match-day protocols where required.
• Assist PDP gym and pitch based sessions occasionally.

Monitoring & Analysis

• Conduct physical testing, monitoring, and collection of growth and maturation data for the Youth and Foundation Phases.
• Monitor player workload, optimise data collection, and present key insights to MDT and technical staff.
• Complete daily records such as attendance, RPE, wellness, medical status.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Present to and collaborate with the medical and coaching departments regarding player loading, screening, performance testing, and growth and maturation.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team to provide a holistic development pathway for all players.

Management, Education & Development

• Assist the Head of Performance in managing the studentship program.
• Assist the Athletic Development Coach in scheduling and creating working week templates.
• Participate in and contribute to internal and external CPD (Continuing Professional Development) with the aim of evolving the current program.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Educated to Postgraduate level or equivalent.
• Professional accreditation through BASES (or ability to achieve in 6 months).
• Experience working in a professional sport setting.
• Experience as a player or coach in football.
• Experience in delivering fitness testing protocols.
• Experience in delivery at both senior and youth levels.
• Passionate about the development of youth athletes.
• Ability to build strong relationships with players and staff.
• Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in Power BI and RStudio.

Benefits

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact [e-mail]). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.