Academy Goalkeeping Coach (Part Time)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Foundation Phase Goalkeeping Coach to join our Academy coaching team for the 2026/27 season. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering the Academy Goalkeeping Coaching Programme, supporting the development of young goalkeepers within the Foundation Phase and ensuring a smooth transition between the Pre-Academy, Foundation Phase, and Youth Development Phase.

Working within a player-centred environment, you will be responsible for planning, delivering, and reviewing high-quality coaching sessions that support the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development of our goalkeepers. You will work closely with Academy staff to create a positive learning environment that maximises each player's potential.

This is a fixed-term contract for the 2026/27 season, based on 18 hours per week, with the potential for the role to be extended into the 2027/28 season. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious coach looking to contribute to a progressive Academy programme and support the development of the next generation of goalkeepers.

The Academy Goalkeeping Coach (‘AGC’) is employed to prepare, deliver and review Goalkeeper coaching activities in line with the Academy’s Performance Plan.

There is a specific requirement for the AGC to support individual Goalkeepers across the Foundation Phase by delivering on the agreed commitments within each players Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and leading the process of continual review and refinement supporting the programme to be suitably responsive to each individual’s dynamic needs.

This essentially makes the AGC responsible for the following, non-exhaustive list:

Preparing

• Support the Lead Schoolboy Academy Goalkeeper Coach, and where necessary lead, with the creation and ongoing development of the Individual Learning Plans for all Foundation Phase Goalkeepers.
• Plan and prepare engaging goalkeeping sessions that aid individual player development in an integrated fashion with a specific focus on goalkeeping techniques.
• Prepare honest, thoughtful and impactful content for Individual Player Reviews and Parent Reviews.
• Liaise with age group coaches to ensure clear communication on the Goalkeeping Programme.
• Proactively engage within age group multi-disciplinary teams (‘MDT’) to provide the best possible support for each individual Goalkeeper.
• Provide advanced and consistent communication on programme logistics via the Clubs communication app (Teamworks) to players & parents.

Coaching

• Lead the delivery of the Academy Goalkeeper Coaching Programme across the Foundation Phase.
• Support Academy Goalkeepers on Match days with purposeful pre-match and in-game Coaching.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Foundation Phase Goalkeeper Curriculum.
• Deliver sessions that stretch and challenge the clubs Foundation Phase Goalkeepers whilst continuing to develop their love and passion for the role of the Goalkeeper.
• Proactively support Foundation Phase Goalkeepers within team training sessions.
• Assist and support Goalkeeper coaching sessions across the pathway, as and when required.
• Contribute to Talent Identification processes and evenings across the season, as and when required.

Reviewing

• Systematically log and record training sessions via the Football Intelligence Platform (Kitman Labs).
• Support the Lead Schoolboy Goalkeeper Coach with honest and meaningful feedback, on player performance and progression, within Player Review Meetings and Parent Review Meetings.
• Contribute proactively to Goalkeeper Department meetings and Goalkeeper MDT meetings.
• Reflect on, and review, individual player performance and potential, to aid the decision-making process within Succession Planning meetings.

The Academy Goalkeeping Coach must:

• Be player/person centred & individualised in their approach
• Have a strong understanding of goalkeeper coaching & player development principles
• Have strong communication skills with young players, their parents and colleagues
• Have excellent Technical/Tactical Goalkeeping detail
• Be pro-active & hard working
• Be open and honest with feedback
• Be highly motivated & passionate about supporting young goalkeepers
• Be willing to share work and learning with others
• Have a desire to engage in reflective practice
• Hold a UEFA B Goalkeeper Coaching Licence
• Hold a UEFA B Coaching Licence
• Hold an up-to-date Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) Certificate through The FA
• Hold an up-to-date FA Safeguarding Children Certificate

Ideally, the Academy Goalkeeping Coach will:

• Hold a UEFA A Goalkeeper Coaching Licence
• Hold the FA Youth Award
• Hold the FA Advanced Youth Award

We expect to close applications on Friday 2nd October, but if we receive a high level of interest, we may close the vacancy sooner. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application at the earliest opportunity.