Lead Youth Development Phase Coach U13-U16

Barnsley Football Club; Crewe; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Crewe Alexandra Football Club seeks an experienced youth coach to lead the U13–U16 Academy Development Programme. You will plan, deliver, and review sessions in line with the club's philosophy, and provide individualised feedback and learning plans to players for long-term development.

You will conduct weekly and periodic reviews, work with MDT, and support player progression into professional pathways, with strong emphasis on safeguarding and welfare.

Qualifications

• UEFA A licence and FA Advanced Youth Award required.
• Enhanced DBS and safeguarding compliance mandatory.
• Experience with Youth Development Phase (U13–U16) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Academy Coaching Programme across the U13-U16 age groups, ensuring consistency in coaching standards, methodology and player development.
• Take overall responsibility for the planning, delivery and review of the Youth Development Phase programme (u13-u16), in line with the Academy's playing and coaching philosophy.
• Coach three evenings per week across the Youth Development Phase and lead an age group within the weekend games programme, including the U16s on Saturday and an additional age group on Sunday.
• Lead and support Academy coaches within the phase, promoting high standards, consistency and a collaborative coaching environment.
• Develop a detailed understanding of each player, providing individualised coaching, performance feedback and learning plans to support their long-term development.
• Ensure all players have appropriate and meaningful performance reviews in line with EPPP requirements, including weekly, 6-weekly and annual reviews through Kitman Labs.
• Design, plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality training sessions, ensuring all session plans and reviews are accurately recorded on Kitman Labs.
• Lead player and parent review meetings, providing clear, constructive and evidence-based feedback on player development and areas for improvement.
• Work closely with the Academy Manager, Head of Coach Development, Head of Academy Recruitment and MDT to regularly review the progress and potential of Academy players and trialists.
• Play an active role in player progression and retention decisions, including the transition of players from the Youth Development Phase into the Professional Development Phase and scholarship decision-making.
• Work closely with Academy Analysts to utilise video and performance data to support team, unit and individual player development.
• Ensure Youth Development Phase fixtures are appropriately reviewed and supported with player voiceovers to maximise learning and reflection.
• Plan and coordinate additional fixtures and appropriate competitive opportunities to support the development needs of players and teams.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local schools, grassroots clubs and coaches to support the Club's development and recruitment strategy.
• Work collaboratively with the Academy MDT to ensure players receive an integrated approach to their technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development.
• Create and maintain a positive, challenging and supportive learning environment in which players are encouraged to take responsibility for their own development.
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, welfare and professional conduct are maintained across all training and match environments.
• Report any player welfare concerns or grievances promptly to the Welfare Officer or Academy Manager and ensure all injuries are reported to the Medical Department.
• Contribute to the continuous review and improvement of the Academy programme, identifying opportunities to improve coaching practice, player development and the overall player experience.
• Maintain all required qualifications and undertake a minimum of five hours of FA in-service training each year, alongside Club-led CPD and the required Emergency First Aid refresher every three years.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably required by the Academy Manager or Head of Academy in support of the Academy programme.

Skills

Coaching

Leadership

Communication

Team collaboration

Flexibility

Education

UEFA A licence

FA Advanced Youth Award

Enhanced DBS

FA Safeguarding

Basic First Aid for Sport

EFAiF

Driving licence

Tools

Kitman Labs

EPPP knowledge

Job description

• Lead the delivery of the Academy Coaching Programme across the U13-U16 age groups, ensuring consistency in coaching standards, methodology and player development.


• Take overall responsibility for the planning, delivery and review of the Youth Development Phase programme (u13-u16), in line with the Academy's playing and coaching philosophy.


• Coach three evenings per week across the Youth Development Phase and lead an age group within the weekend games programme, including the U16s on Saturday and an additional age group on Sunday.


• Lead and support Academy coaches within the phase, promoting high standards, consistency and a collaborative coaching environment.


• Develop a detailed understanding of each player, providing individualised coaching, performance feedback and learning plans to support their long-term development.


• Ensure all players have appropriate and meaningful performance reviews in line with EPPP requirements, including weekly, 6-weekly and annual reviews through Kitman Labs.


• Design, plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality training sessions, ensuring all session plans and reviews are accurately recorded on Kitman Labs.


• Lead player and parent review meetings, providing clear, constructive and evidence-based feedback on player development and areas for improvement.


• Work closely with the Academy Manager, Head of Coach Development, Head of Academy Recruitment and MDT to regularly review the progress and potential of Academy players and trialists.


• Play an active role in player progression and retention decisions, including the transition of players from the Youth Development Phase into the Professional Development Phase and scholarship decision-making.


• Work closely with Academy Analysts to utilise video and performance data to support team, unit and individual player development.


• Ensure Youth Development Phase fixtures are appropriately reviewed and supported with player voiceovers to maximise learning and reflection.


• Plan and coordinate additional fixtures and appropriate competitive opportunities to support the development needs of players and teams.


• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local schools, grassroots clubs and coaches to support the Club's development and recruitment strategy.


• Work collaboratively with the Academy MDT to ensure players receive an integrated approach to their technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development.


• Create and maintain a positive, challenging and supportive learning environment in which players are encouraged to take responsibility for their own development.


• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, welfare and professional conduct are maintained across all training and match environments.


• Report any player welfare concerns or grievances promptly to the Welfare Officer or Academy Manager and ensure all injuries are reported to the Medical Department.


• Contribute to the continuous review and improvement of the Academy programme, identifying opportunities to improve coaching practice, player development and the overall player experience.


• Maintain all required qualifications and undertake a minimum of five hours of FA in-service training each year, alongside Club-led CPD and the required Emergency First Aid refresher every three years.


• Carry out any other duties reasonably required by the Academy Manager or Head of Academy in support of the Academy programme.

About The Candidate

• UEFA A licence


• FA Advanced Youth Award


• Enhanced DBS


• Able to be flexible with their working weekincluding evenings and weekends


• Driving licence and car

• FA Safeguarding


• Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification


• EFAiF


• Previous experience of working with and developing Youth Development Phase players (u13-u16)


• Previous experience of working in a Professional Football Academy


• Knowledge of EPPP and Kitman Labs

About The Club

Crewe Alexandra Football Club promotes equal opportunities in employment 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.