ROLE DESCRIPTION

Details
Academy Lead Sport Scientist- U9-U16
Department Performance
Reports to Head of Academy Performance
Location Cambridge United Training Ground & Other Club Venues
Salary £24,000 per annum
Hours 40 hours per week, including match days and evenings. Flexibility around working days and hours

Role Summary
A new opportunity has arisen in the Sports Science department at Cambridge United FC for an honest, hard-working, and humble candidate in the role of Academy Lead Sport Scientist- U9-U16.

The successful candidate will work across all Academy age groups, with a key focus on the development of FP and YDP players, providing an outstanding level of support through best practice Strength and Conditioning, Sports Science modalities, both on-pitch and off-pitch.

The role will be based at the Club’s Training Ground, and other linked venues. Attendance at all training and matchdays, home and away, will be required.

Key Job Outcomes
• Lead and deliver best practice Strength and Conditioning, Sports Science coaching in line with EPPP requirements, and Academy philosophy, to U9-16 Academy squads, on-pitch and gym-based as required.
• Responsible for U16s on Day Release with the Professional Development Phase (PDP).
• Be responsible for collection and reporting U9-16s Academy squads physical testing and growth and maturation, in line with EPPP requirements.
• Provide matchday support for U9-16s, delivering pre-match warm up, post-match conditioning and recovery as required.
• Collaborate with Medical team to assist in best practice injury prevention methods, and end-stage rehabilitation for injured players.
• Lead and deliver seminars and workshops relating to recovery, nutrition, physiology to coaching staff, playing staff and parents across the season.
• Attend CPD to enhance the Sports Science practice across the Academy.
• Liaise with Head of Coaching, Lead Phase coaches, and age group coaches with training design ideas to optimise physical development alongside technical and tactical goals.
• Contribute to Player IDP programmes to track and support their development.
• Assist the Head of Academy Performance with PDP programme when required.
• To attend meetings as required by the Academy Manager and Head of Academy Performance.
• To undertake additional duties are required by the Academy Manager and Head of Academy Performance.
• Work closely with other Academy departments to ensure an MDT approach is followed.
This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.

Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience
BSc in Sports Science or Strength and Conditioning
Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)
Recent and in-date Enhanced DBS, & FA Safeguarding Children Certificates
Experience working in an elite sporting environment with young athletes
Experience working in an elite Football Academy setting
Knowledge of long-term athletic development (LTAD), football periodisation, growth and maturation, and the implications on young athlete development
Good ability to communicate with the MDT to positively influence the programme
Full UK Driving License
UKSCA, BASES or NSCA Accreditation (or ability to obtain within 6-12 months)
MSc in Sports Science or Strength and Conditioning
Level 1/UEFA C coaching badges

Personal Qualities/Attributes
Hardworking and enthusiastic
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Reliable and committed
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Able to communicate effectively
Willingness to work weekday evenings
Excellent team player and motivator
Takes responsibility for ensuring a high quality of work
A genuine team player who will support and motivate other members of the team
Passion for LTAD and working with young athletes

Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their CV and Cover Letter, applications which do not include both documents will not be reviewed.
Application Closing Date Wednesday 3rd July 2024

(We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.)
Interview Date(s) w/c 8th July 2024
Start Date TBC during the Interview Stage

Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.

Vision
Creating Memories
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.

Driving Standards & Performance
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education.

Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives though the power of sport.

Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.

Teamwork
We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.

Hard Work
We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.

Humility
We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.
Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.
Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.
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