Role description

Reporting to our Women's Talent Pathway Manager we are looking for the right person to lead the delivery of a football coaching programme in line with the Reading FC Women curriculum / blueprint, develop all players within the group to attain the highest levels of performance possible in a safe, secure, and supportive environment, drive and nurture a positive culture within the training group, be a coach who makes the environment a place where players learn, have fun, and develop a love for the game and to be an advocate and guardian of the women’s game.  
The successful candidate will work 10 hours per week, usually worked on a Tuesday and Thursday between 5.00pm - 7.30pm, a match day on Saturday morning, with the remaining hours being flexible
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Reading Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships
Safeguarding Statement
Reading Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of children and young people engaged in club activities must take priority over all other considerations.  Due to this post being in regulated activity, the potential employee will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. It is a criminal offence for a barred person to attempt to engage with vulnerable group.  Engagement will be subject to sight of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and stringent background and reference checks.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

To work with the U14 Assistant Coach and Support Team to plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate all coaching sessions and matchdays.
To ensure high standards of coach delivery to support, motivate and challenge the development of all players.
To ensure attendance at all training sessions and matches of U14 Team.
To work with the Assistant Coach to deliver a pre-season programme to maximise preparation for the forthcoming season.
To share views and opinions on player development in an open minded and positive way.
To coach in a way that ensures players:- are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback for improvement and clarity,        - are encouraged to have input with decisions and their own learning process, - are communicated the ‘why’ as well as the ‘what’ of decisions, - know and understand the purpose and ‘why’ of training sessions.
To work across age groups if requested (Head Coach is likely to focus on one age group but may work with different groups from time to time).

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
QUALIFICATIONS: Essential - FA Level 3 / UEFA B or above coaching qualification; FA DBS; FA Safeguarding Children; FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid.
EXPERIENCE: Essential - Experience of working in a professional youth football environment; Experience of, and enthusiasm for, coaching and mentoring elite young players.   Desirable - experience of working in an RTC or Women's Academy programme
KNOWLEDGE: Essential - Understanding of learning, development and high performance with a proven ability to create positive learning environments for players; Aware of diversity and equality challenges in football; Understanding the needs of the modern young player in terms of their physical and psychological development.  Desirable - An up-to-date understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures; Empathy of, and commitment to, the long-term development of the Women’s game; Strong existing relationships within the Women’s pyramid in England.
SKILLS: Essential - Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong strategic relationships with Club staff
ATTITUDE: Essential - Proactive and positive attitude; Resilient to difficult situations; Willingness to work weekends; Ability to travel independently