JOB VACANCY: Senior Academy transition coach (backs)

Tuesday 6 June 2023

We are Newcastle Falcons one of the Premiership rugby teams. We are setting our sights on a new, exciting future and are looking for a versatile, well organised, and motivated individual to join our team.

Salary & Benefits: Dependant on experience

Hours Required: Permanent Contract 37.5 hours per week (includes evenings and weekends)

Reporting to: Head of Academy

Based at: Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne

Our vision is to develop young players who are technically, tactically, and mentally capable of playing for our 1st team or England having a career in the professional game. We therefore are now looking for an ambitious and motivated academy transition Coach with a specialism in backs play to join our team at Kingston Park Stadium.

As Senior Academy Transition Coach you will work as part of a team and support the players make the transition to senior rugby in line with the club’s vision. Also creating relationships with the younger EAP’s who might transition to senior rugby. The primary focus of the role is to provide coaching support to all senior academy players.

Other key responsibilities as part of this role include:

· To lead coaching and associated player development activity for those backs within the senior academy group, and other post-18 players who are identified as having potential.

· To guide and support such players to formulate individual development plans, and to review and reset these on a regular and periodic basis.

· To work with senior academy colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team to devise and deliver strategies and support programmes to facilitate the fulfilment of individual development plans, including off-field development.

· To provide individualised, one-to-one and unit coaching to such players, in support of the technical and tactical objectives of their individual development plans

· To plan annual playing programmes for such players, and to liaise with dual registered clubs and other rugby-playing institutions to manage the delivery of these programmes.

· To provide consistent and timely feedback to such players on their performances and progression, including and especially through match analysis.

· To plan the weekly schedule for senior academy players, including those who are simultaneously involved in full or part time education or work outside of the club.

· To monitor and support any academy managed players who are based away from the club, e.g., for their education, and to ensure the quality of their rugby programme.

· To support the coaching of the non-match day 23 and injured players on a weekly basis, as required

· To align post 18 player development process with the needs and expectations of the senior coaching programme through such means as are considered appropriate.

· To provide and support position specific coaching as requested and required within the player pathway, including at age grade and senior level.

· To coach such teams as may be considered appropriate from time to time for the development of post 18 players, and for personal development, including but not limited to the Premiership Cup team.

· To provide input as required into player selection, retention, and release processes.

· To develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues across the club’s rugby and pathway programmes, including at senior and age grade levels.

· To develop and maintain strong relationships with rugby stakeholders across the region, and at national level, such as will support the objectives of the senior academy programme.

· To liaise with coaches employed by the RFU to support England age grade and senior squads with regard to the development and management of nationally identified players

· To comply at all times with club regulations and policies in all applicable areas, including but not limited to safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection.

· To fulfil such other duties as are commensurate with this job description, and which may reasonably be required from time to time by the Head of Academy / Head Coach or Director of Rugby.

Essential requirements:

· Appropriate coaching qualifications to a minimum RFU Level 3 (or overseas equivalent)

· Experience as a back coach in Rugby Union with a strong understanding of the coaching process

· Experience of working with developing players within the 18-23 age range

· Flexibility to work unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.

· Self-starter who is able to take the initiative, work innovatively, and maintain high standards for self and others.

· Able to work independently and efficiently, but also as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

· Enhanced DBS clearance

· Full and current driving

People dimensions:

· Head Coach and senior coaches

· Multi-disciplinary team members (sport science & medicine)

· Academy coaches and support staff at age-grade level

· England age-grade and senior coaches and support staff

· Club and university

Safeguarding:

Newcastle Falcons takes safeguarding very seriously and is committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk are safeguarded at all times when engaging in club activities or services. The club has numerous safeguarding policies and best practice guidelines to support this and expects all employees to adopt such policies and practices at all times.

The club adheres to strict guidelines, policies and procedures when recruiting staff who work with children and/or adults at risk and is committed to ensuring staff receive appropriate safeguarding training suitable to their role/s. Successful applicants are expected to share the club’s approach to safeguarding.

Equal Opportunities:

The post holder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with the Club’s Equal Opportunities Policy, with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety Legislation.

Newcastle Falcons is an equal opportunities employer, all applicants for employment will be given equal opportunities irrespective of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin.

These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities within Newcastle Falcons, commensurate with the post without changing the character of the post. This post requires an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Information on all convictions including spent convictions must be declared, in line with the new Government Filtering System.

If you wish to see our Candidate Privacy Notice, please email [email protected]

Employment is subject to: the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK as well as a successfully cleared enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and clearance of RFU safer recruitment procedure.

Please apply with a CV and a cover letter to [email protected]

We will accept no more applications after midnight on Sunday June 18.

Any questions please contact Cheryl Abdul, the academy administrator at [email protected].