ROLE DESCRIPTION

JOB DESCRIPTION
We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing professional football clubs in the UK, and also boasts one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1975 as Heathfield Rovers, initially as a West Midlands League second division club, they later became Wolverhampton & Wednesbury Tube and then Wolverhampton Ladies before taking the name Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1993. In the 1993/94 season they we promoted to the Premier League, which was then the top flight of Women’s football.

In 2008/09 the women and girl’s programme was taken on board by the Wolves community trust, this support continued until 2021/22 season where the academy took control of the female provision, ensuring the boys and girls alike are given opportunities to play at Wolves.

2019/20 season and 2020/21 season saw Wolves Women top the table in both seasons only to have the leagues ended abruptly due to COVID. This prevented promotion to tier 3, however Wolves were successful in an ‘upwards movement’ initiative allowing them to move into the FA Women’s National League, Northern Premier Division.

The 2021/22 season saw huge success for the Women and girls programme with the Women securing a place in the playoff game for Championship, after topping the Northern Premier League table. The U16’s also were finalist in the FA Youth Cup Plate as the last game of their season.


We take seriously our commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and to ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job purpose

The Academy Goalkeeping Coach will work alongside the Women’s and Boy Academy staff, to develop and train Goalkeepers within the Women, girl’s and boy’s Academy programmes in line with the Wolves playing philosophy. The successful candidate will require a clear understanding of the Club Philosophy. They will play an active role in the ongoing development of all goalkeepers to ensure they are capable of meeting the highest possible standards.

Key responsibilities

Coaching

To be able to plan, deliver and evaluate every coaching session in accordance with the Club Philosophy, Coaching Plan and Coach Competency Framework.
Along with relevant support staff, ensure that the training programme is clearly planned with clear objectives on a Macro, Meso and Micro level.
Carry out goalkeeping coaching sessions relevant to the individual needs of the goalkeepers within the Club’s Academy.
Document each session plan prior to delivery of the coaching session, including individual key coaching points and learning objectives for each player.
Evaluate coaching sessions.
Link all individual and team learning objectives to the Coaching Programme.
Plan each coaching session in accordance with the individual player and team requirements of the Sports Science and physio departments.
Plan, deliver and evaluate every coaching session.
Ensure all sessions are delivered with a compliant approach to Health and Safety.
Develop and maintain a positive learning environment to maximise each players learning potential in line with the requirements of the Coach Competency Framework.
Match Day


Document Match Day planning and evaluation.
Evaluation of the player’s performance against the players individual aims.
Emphasise individual and team learning objectives during pre-match, half time and post-match team talks and player interaction.
Ensure a warm up and cool down is conducted on each Match Day according to the Women’s Coaching Programme. ( and at youth cup stage at semi’s/finals level.)
Evaluate all matches, documenting achievement of learning objectives or action plan for next coaching session/Match Day.
Exhibit touchline behaviour according to the Coach Competency Framework.
Performance Reviews

Prepare and conduct Player Performance Reviews for each player, involving Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) staff in the process.
Provide video evidence to support each Player Performance Review.
General Duties

Carry out any other reasonable duties that may arise or be assigned by the Head of Women’s Football and/or Head of Academy GK or Academy management staff.
Play an active role in decisions on recruitment and release of Goalkeepers.
To participate in in-service initiatives as required and maintain CPD.
To attend internal/external meetings on behalf of the Club as requested.
General responsibilities

Compliance with Club policies
Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures
Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies
To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected
To maintain professional conduct at all times
Safeguarding


This role involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults in a Regulated Activity (or in close proximity to children and/or vulnerable adults). This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.
Key relationships

Head of W&G’s Football
Head of Academy Golkeeping
Women’s team Manager
PLayer development lead
Multi-disciplinary team
Academy staff in support of each players development
To ensure positive relationships with players, parents.
Scope of job

This role requires has responsibility to the ongoing development of all goalkeepers to ensure they are capable of meeting the highest possible standards.

This role will require a degree of travel both nationally and abroad to fulfil the job requirements.

Knowledge: the level and breadth of knowledge to do the job e.g. understanding of a defined system, method or procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc

Evidence of understanding the Women’s football pyramid and academy football.
Experience of planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching sessions in accordance with the defined standards.
Experience of delivery of GK sessions within an academy setting.
Technical/work-based skills: skills specific to the job e.g. language competence, typing skills, coaching skills etc

Essential

Proven track record of working within an elite environment.
Proven track record of developing elite young football players.
Good understanding of the rules of the game.
Good use of IT e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

General skills and attributes: more general characteristics e.g. flexibility, communication skills, team working etc

Essential

Can work as part of a team and on own initiative.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Availability for flexible working hours.
Own transportation and clean driving licence.
A personality that brings a positive impact to our elite environment.
Be proactive and want to develop, growing the service as the Club grows.
Calm under pressure and able to adapt to changing situations.
Ability to prioritise tasks in relation to demand and deadlines.
Ability to communicate information to others with excellent attention to detail.
Understanding of how to work safely with children and/or vulnerable adults and uphold generally accepted practice when working with those participants.
Promote, adhere to and implement the Club’s Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed equality and diversity within Club.
Experience: proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism.

Essential

Proven experience in a similar role.
Working with children and/or vulnerable adults
Qualifications: the level of educational, professional and/or occupational training required

Essential

UEFA B outfield
UEFA B GK
Up to date FA Emergency First Aid Certificate
Post-holder must hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity the relevant safeguarding training (i.e. FA Safeguarding Children Workshop)
Post-holder will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves Safeguarding Manager

Desirable

UEFA A GK coach and Outfield qualifications
Associate degree (college diploma or above)