Football & Sports Development Coach Apprentice

Southampton Football Club; Southampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to 2 free match tickets for any

Free breakfast and afternoon snacks on

Discounts at local shops and eateries

Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA

Professional training and development

Job summary

Southampton Football Club is seeking a Football & Sports Development Coach Apprentice to join the Football Partnerships team. You will gain on-field experience and study towards a Level 4 Sports Coach qualification, delivering high-quality coaching across diverse programs while progressing players through development pathways.

The role is part-time (30 hours per week) at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, with an 18-month fixed-term apprenticeship and DBS check requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering to young players within a football setting.
• Knowledge of football coaching.
• Ability to engage with a variety of players and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist and deliver high quality coaching across School Sports, Soccer Schools, Football Development Centers & Grassroots.
• Ensure curriculums and standards are followed and participation remains high.
• Support staff on centers and soccer schools to deliver schemes of work.

Skills

Football coaching

Youth delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Introduction to Football Coaching qualification

Job description

Be part of our journey... Location: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton Hours: Part Time, 30 hours per week (including course attendance) Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Apprenticeship, 18 months Criminal Record Check: DBS Enhanced with Child’s List

What will you be doing?

We have an exciting new job opportunity to work within our Football Partnerships team and start your career as a Football & Sports Development Coach Apprentice. This will allow you to develop, learn and get practical ‘on the field’ experience in a variety of coaching environments, whilst also studying towards a Level 4 Sports Coach qualification. You will be assisting, supporting & delivering high quality coaching programmes within the UK Coaching Programmes department; aiming to engage, develop and create an enjoyable learning environment among players of all abilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

To assist, support and deliver high quality coaching provision across all delivery lines, including; School Sports, Soccer Schools, Football Development Centers & Grassroots Support, ensuring curriculums and standards are consistently followed and delivered to. To help increase and retain high levels of participation, whilst ensuring the customer experience is Best In Class for all parties; including players, partners and parents/guardians. Assist in supporting, delivery staff on centers and soccer schools to ensure consistency of services and equip them to deliver all schemes of work as per the requirements of the partner school, club or group. Ensure players have the opportunity to progress through Southampton FC player progression pathway, and any players are recommended through the correct process to either the Player Development Programme or Para Player Development Programme. The Apprenticeship Delivered by SCL you’ll gain a Level 4 Sports Coach qualification. Develop through the apprenticeship to use extensive technical and tactical sports knowledge and skills to design and deliver coaching programmes that engage, motivate and evolve participants’ skills and performance. You will measure the impact of your coaching strategies through analysis of the participant, coach, coaching team and organisational perception and performance data. Able to work autonomously and collaboratively to deliver progressive programmes that align to wider curriculum plans, these are tailored to individuals and diverse groups of participants based on robust profiling techniques and whole person development needs.

Person Specification

To have had some experience delivering to young players within a football setting. To have knowledge of football coaching and an idea of young player needs. To be confident in engaging with a variety of players and stakeholders.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

Hold a minimum Introduction to Football Coaching qualification. Valid driving licence (& access to a car).

Benefits

• Access to 2 free match tickets for every home league game
• Free breakfast and afternoon snacks on site
• Discounts at local shops and restaurants
• An Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders for when things get tough
• Specialist support with professional development and access to a world of internal and external training courses and professional qualifications

The closing date for applications is 22 October 2026.

About Us

POTENTIAL INTO EXCELLENCE Southampton Football Club is part of St. Mary’s Football Group, which also includes the affiliated registered charity – the Saints Foundation. We look for people with integrity, compassion and support for those around them; people who take pride in what they do with an honest approach, who embrace a challenge while also being accountable for their decisions; people who have the energy and passion to bring an innovative approach to their role and strive to be different from the rest; people with the aspiration to lead the way and become an example to others. Within the walls of St. Mary’s Stadium, Staplewood Campus, the Bath Academy and our other sites and development centers across the South of England, you’ll be given the platform to work in a vibrant, intelligent and challenging environment with the potential to develop and become the best at what you do. We don’t stand still, we are constantly moving forward. Be part of it… Southampton Football Club promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have the Disability Confident Award, which we pride ourselves on with regard to the commitment to employing disabled people and judging people on their abilities alone. We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.

Southampton Football Club is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Southampton Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of those children and young people in day to day contact with the Club is paramount. We are committed to creating a safe culture for all. As such, you may be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service and prior to taking up any role.

Southampton Football Club is committed to protecting the privacy and security of every applicant’s personal information. Please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice and Group Privacy & Data Protection Policy on our main careers page for further information.