Talent Centre Age Group Assistant Coach

Working alongside our Talent Centre age group lead coaches, successful candidates will oversee the annual coaching programme for one or more age groups, liaise with the Coach Coordinator and Group Captain(s) regarding coach and volunteer support/allocations and manage weekly team selections. Weekly availability for our Sunday training/fixtures programme is essential and for midweek sessions would be desirable (but not essential).

London Wayfarers HC are looking to recruit enthusiastic, inspiring and skilled coaches to join our Talent Centre coaching team. The club has gone from strength to strength in recent years and caters for players of all abilities and levels of experience from complete beginner to national league. We have one of the largest junior sections in the country and run 18 senior teams (including a mixed team). The ambition of the club was recently recognised by England Hockey with the awarding of their 2019 “Club of the Year” award. We hold the nationally-recognized, cross-sport, ClubMark status and have also recently been accredited as one of England Hockey’s Talent Centre clubs.

Outlined below in this job description are the desired credentials of ‘ideal’ candidates. However, we are looking to broaden the pool of role models for our young players. So, for female coaches (or aspiring female coaches), or those from minority backgrounds, if you would potentially be interested in joining our coaching team but do not fully meet the criteria of the role(s), we would still love to hear from you and to consider your application. It is worth highlighting that the club offer funding for coaching qualifications and relevant training. 

These positions could be combined with other coaching roles within the club (junior/senior) and/or additional coaching opportunities within our wider community through established club links. Further opportunities to be discussed during the application process.

Role: 

• Talent Centre Lead Coach (various age groups from U12 to U18, boys/girls)
• This role could be combined with additional roles within the club (either senior or junior) and/or within our wider community.

Reporting To:           

• Head Coach (Boys’ and/or Girl’s Section as appropriate)

Mission:

To support the development of junior age group players, in line with the Club's Strategy and Club Philosophy.

Hours:

• Depends on scope of the role but minimum 1.5 hours each week (ideally minimum 3 hours to provide continuity from midweek to weekend coaching). Midweek and weekend hours available.
• This role could be combined with other club roles, working with other age/gender groups, whether that be in a lead coach or assistant coach capacity and with junior and/or senior players.

Coaching Rate:

• From min. £20 per hour to be negotiated with the club, dependent on knowledge, experience and linked to coaching qualifications.

Responsibilities
 

To support the Age Group Lead Coach(es) in planning and delivering the annual coaching programme for junior players, to drive culture in line with the club’s philosophy and to manage the coaching team for the age group.

• Culture and environment – To provide opportunity for all players to learn and to reach their potential, in a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment. To enhance consistency, raise standards and build pathways across the age group.
• Training: To deliver fun and engaging sessions for junior players, with the ability/flexibility to adapt to ensure that all players get an appropriate level of stretch and/or support.
• Fixtures: To support the Age Group Lead Coach(es) with coaching of weekly fixtures, and to help run internal/external tournaments.
• Selection/Player Assessment: To provide regular feedback to the Age Group Lead Coach(es) regarding ongoing player assessment.
• Reporting: To raise any welfare concerns with the Director of Hockey and, where required, to report to the Club’s Welfare Officer. To report injuries/ accidents, in line with the Club’s First Aid Policy.

Requirements

• EH Sessional Coach Award / Level 1 qualified (or equivalent) or willingness to work towards one.
• Valid First Aid qualification (desirable).
• Valid Safeguarding & Protecting Children certificate (UK Coaching) (desirable).
• DBS enhanced check (must be completed before appointment can be confirmed).
• Right to live and work in the UK.

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience of working in a junior performance environment (desirable).
• Familiar with England Hockey’s Future Talent Strategy and Talent Development Framework (desirable).
• Full UK driving licence (desirable).