Foundation Phase Lead

Fleetwood Town F.C.; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Fleetwood Town F.C. is seeking a Foundation Phase Lead to provide strategic leadership across the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase, shaping a high-quality learning environment and implementing the academy’s playing philosophy and development strategy at Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.

The role involves identifying and progressing young players, leading coaches, and working within a Category 2 Academy with a track record of developing players into Fleetwood Town’s First Team.

Qualifications

• Relevant UEFA licences and safeguarding qualifications.
• Experience in elite youth development environments.
• Ability to coach Foundation Phase players.
• Experience leading or developing other coaches.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery and development of Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
• Implement and develop age-appropriate coaching curriculum with Head of Coaching.
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate coaching provision; maintain records.
• Lead player reviews and Individual Learning Plans with clear objectives.
• Support player transitions through the Foundation Phase to the Transition Phase.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to develop players’ technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social skills.
• Coach a designated age group and support others as needed.
• Provide feedback to part-time coaches and support Coach Development Action Plans.
• Support recruitment and identification across Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
• Coordinate training, fixtures, and development opportunities; manage communications.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Leadership

Child-centred coaching

Talent identification

Education

UEFA B Licence

UEFA A Licence

FA Advanced Youth Award

ELITE Player Performance Plan knowledge

First Aid qualification

Full driving licence

Tools

Football Intelligence Platform

MS Office

Job description

Location: Poolfoot Farm Training Complex

Reports to: Academy Manager

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Hours: Flexible; evening and weekend work will be expected

Role overview

We are looking for an outstanding, highly motivated and forward-thinking Foundation Phase Lead. You will provide leadership across the phase, create a high-quality learning environment for players and coaches, and ensure the Academy’s coaching curriculum, playing philosophy and player development strategy are consistently implemented.

You will play an important role in identifying, developing and progressing young players while supporting the coaches working within the phase. You will join a forward-thinking Category 2 Academy with a strong track record of developing players who progress through the football pyramid and into Fleetwood Town’s First Team. The role will be based primarily at the Club’s £10 million Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.

What we are looking for

• UEFA B Licence.
• Experience in an elite youth development environment, preferably within a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy.
• A strong understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan and Academy requirements.
• Demonstrable experience of coaching players in the Foundation Phase.
• Experience of leading, supporting or developing other coaches.
• A strong understanding of child-centred coaching and age-appropriate player development.
• Experience of player recruitment and talent identification.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Current FA Safeguarding Children requirements and an appropriate Emergency First Aid qualification.
• A full driving licence and access to transport.
• UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Previous Foundation Phase leadership experience within a professional Academy.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience using the Football Intelligence Platform or a similar player-development system.
• Evidence of continued professional development in coaching, leadership or youth development.

Key responsibilities

Phase leadership and player development

• Lead the day-to-day delivery and development of the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
• Work with the Head of Coaching to implement and develop an age-appropriate coaching curriculum.
• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching provision and maintain appropriate records.
• Lead player reviews and Individual Learning Plans, with meaningful and regularly reviewed objectives.
• Monitor player transitions through the Foundation Phase and into the Transition Phase.
• Work with the Academy’s multidisciplinary team to support players’ technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development.

Coaching and coach development

• Coach a designated age group and support delivery across other age groups where appropriate.
• Set high standards of coaching practice and give regular support and feedback to part-time coaches.
• Support Coach Development Action Plans aligned with the Academy’s Coach Expertise Framework.
• Promote reflection, collaboration, innovation and continuous professional development.

Recruitment and player pathway

• Work with Academy Recruitment on player identification across the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
• Support the identification, assessment and integration of trialists and prospective Academy players.
• Develop a strong understanding of the local talent pool and the needs of each age group.
• Ensure recruitment decisions consider current ability and long-term potential.

Programme and operational management

• Coordinate training, fixtures, festivals, tournaments and other development opportunities.
• Ensure the games programme offers suitable challenge and variety.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with players, parents and Academy staff.
• Keep player development, coaching and programme information accurate and up to date.

Academy leadership and safeguarding

• Take ownership of standards and culture within the Foundation Phase and contribute to the wider Academy strategy.
• Work with other phase leads and Heads of Department to maintain consistency across the Academy.
• Provide regular updates to the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.
• Act as a Safeguarding Champion and place players’ welfare, wellbeing and best interests at the centre of all decisions.
• Maintain professional boundaries and follow Club policies on safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, information handling and professional conduct.
• Carry out other duties as directed by the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching.

Safeguarding

Fleetwood Town Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and applicants to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. This post is subject to relevant DBS checks as part of our safer recruitment process.