Academy Physical Performance Coach

Huddersfield Town AFC; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional football club is seeking an Academy Physical Performance Coach based in Huddersfield. The role involves designing and delivering athletic development programs for U18 players, managing their physical performance, and ensuring adherence to safeguarding protocols. Candidates must have relevant educational qualifications and experience working with young athletes. The position offers a salary of up to £30,000 per annum and is full-time.

Qualifications

• Experience working with youth athletes, preferably in football.
• Ability to lead physical development sessions in team settings.
• Knowledge of strength & conditioning protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver athletic development strategies for U18 players.
• Manage players’ workload using GPS data.
• Assist in Academy performance nutrition strategy.

Skills

Strength & power training

GPS data management

Performance nutrition knowledge

Education

Relevant degree in sports science or similar

Job description

Organisation Huddersfield Town AFC Salary Up to £30,000 per annum Location Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 28 November 2025 Interview date 8 December 2025 Job Description Job Description

Post Title

Academy Physical Performance Coach.

Department / Location

Huddersfield Town AFC Academy, Canalside Training Centre.

Reports To

Academy Director.

Lead Academy Physical Performance Coach.

Purpose of the Role

Predominantly, but not exclusively, working with the U18 age group, the post holder will be responsible for designing and delivering the athletic development strategies for the group as a whole and for designing specific programmes to suit the needs of each individual player.

Functional Links

Internal : Academy Director.

Strategic Advisor – HTAFC Academy.

Football Administration Manager (Academy Secretary).

Performance Services Team.

Coaching Team.

Senior Leadership Team.

Staff and Managers throughout the organisation.

External : Other Clubs’ Performance Services Staff.

Premier League and English Football League.

Football Association (FA).

League Managers Association (LMA).

Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

Key Performance Indicators

• Demonstrable improvement in players’ strength & power markers.
• Demonstrable improvements in GPS markers on the pitch (increase in maximum speed, increase in ability to hit high‑speed metres in matches).

Role Specific Responsibilities (predominantly but not exclusively with the U18s)

The post holder will :

• Lead in the delivery of physical development sessions both in the gym and on the pitch with the Professional Development Phase squads.
• Attend and support Academy fixtures, both home and away, as required.
• Manage players’ workload using GPS data.
• Assist in managing GPS and testing databases and reporting systems.
• Assist in delivering all Academy testing and screening strategies.
• Assist in delivering the Academy performance nutrition strategy.
• Manage gym areas in conjunction with other Physical Performance staff members to ensure an appropriate and safe working environment.
• Assist in the daily education of physical performance.
• Ensure all sessions and targets are recorded correctly using SAP, enabling individual programmes to be monitored, discussed in End of Cycle Meetings, and developed as necessary.
• Contribute to all IDP meetings for U18 players.
• Lead in the physical assessment of all U16 and U17 trialist players that enter the Club.
• Assist in writing and continually updating the department’s standard operating procedures.
• Assist in delivering physical development sessions to the FDP and YDP age groups.
• Execute additional tasks as required to meet the Club and Academy’s changing priorities.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and the post holder is required to undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Academy Director, and / or any other Senior Leader within the Club.

Additional Information

CSR and Sustainability :

All employees are required to understand and support the Company's commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, and to incorporate sustainable practices into daily work activities, as far as reasonably practicable, including responsible resource use, waste reduction, and energy conservation.

The post holder must also consider environmental and social impacts when making business decisions within their scope of responsibility and participate in sustainability training and awareness programmes as required, also representing the Company’s values and commitment to responsible business practices when engaging with external stakeholders.

Safeguarding :

Huddersfield Town Association Football Club (HTAFC) Ltd. and the Huddersfield Town Foundation are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We anticipate that the Academy Physical Performance Coach will be involved in supervising and working with children, young people and / or vulnerable adults; therefore, the post holder will require an Enhanced Criminal Records Check (CRC) through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and clearance for work in football by the FA.

Applicants must disclose all previous convictions including spent convictions in accordance with the associated legislation; a disclosure may be made to the Head of Human Resources and EDI via a separate letter. The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot consider them.

Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

The post holder will also be required to undergo Safeguarding Training, to be agreed with the Senior Safeguarding Manager.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion :

Huddersfield Town AFC is a diverse environment in which we respect all characteristics under the Equality Act 2010; we want everyone to feel valued and included within the Club and to be able to achieve their full potential.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination, and we are committed to the redress of any inequalities by taking positive action where appropriate. All employees are required to support and uphold this zero-tolerance approach and contribute to our ‘Terriers Together’ Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy.