Academy Physical Performance Coach

• City of Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Closing Date For Applications: 13h March 2026

The Perks of the Job

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Role Overview: This post is expected to optimise the availability and athletic development of Academy players through the provision, monitoring and passionate delivery of an evidence based physical development programme, in line with the Nottingham Forest Football Club Academy performance syllabus. As part of an MDT, work directly with the professional development phase (PDP) regarding all aspects of Sports Science and Performance on a day-to-day basis, to exceed the requirements of a Category 1 Academy as determined by EPPP. This role is primarily working with the U16, U18 & B Team age groups, leading off-field athletic development support and assisting when required in the on-field performance programme. It may also require the physical preparation of senior professional players and players across the U9-U15s.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide professional and world leading physical performance support for all registered Academy players including individual programmes and long term athletic development plans.
• In association with the wider Performance department, organise the weekly gym plans and long term strength programmes for academy age group players with a primary responsibility for the U16, U18 & B Team squads.
• Lead on design, delivery and monitoring of gym related programming for the PDP players.
• Manage all gym, rehab and pre activation areas in co operation with other Performance team members.
• Work closely across the Academy Performance department in aligning the physical development of the academy players in the strength and conditioning programme.
• Ensure Sport Science & S&C provision including session plans, gym sessions and testing are uploaded into the appropriate AMS within 24 hours.
• Ensure testing and monitoring practices are consistently implemented and evaluated to inform practice.
• Assist in Talent Identification protocols and contribute to the trialling procedures and testing for potential academy players.
• Educate staff to ensure the maintenance of age specific best practice including the provision of in service training and appropriate CPD.
• Collaborate across the Academy Performance department, aligning programming with synonymous athletic development methodologies.
• Assist where appropriate other members of the performance and medical departments across all NFFC squads and teams, including rehabilitation support.
• Work with the wider medical team to provide an integrated approach to performance enhancement regarding injury rehabilitation and return to training/play criteria.
• In conjunction with the medical department, develop age related prehab and appropriate rehab to minimise injury risk and maximise player availability.
• Use appropriate databases to monitor and manage player loading, working closely with the multi disciplinary team to individualise player plans.
• To support with the management of the work placement students.
• To contribute to player reviews and audits in order to assess performance and potential.
• To support with evidence based departmental projects.
• Any other appropriate duties as required by the Academy management team.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge - Essential

• Previous experience working within the support staff of a professional football club.
• Worked as part of a multi disciplinary team.
• Delivered applied sports science support to elite individual or team sport athletes.
• Ability to accurately measure and monitor essential physical components with elite youth athletes using a range of applied technologies.
• Provide accurate and informative written and verbal reports to a range of key stakeholders.
• Managing and developing databases to inform the above.
• Coach youth athletes across a range of fundamental movements.
• Excellent problem solving and decision making skills.
• Ability to navigate through courageous and challenging conversations.
• Innovative and creative with the ability to think outside the box.
• BSc in Sports Science or equivalent.
• UKSCA or equivalent.
• Valid Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification.
• Valid FA Safeguarding Certificate.
• Previous experience delivering Strength & Conditioning with youth athletes.
• Have used maturational data and knowledge to deliver appropriate physical development and injury reduction strategies in a team sport setting.
• An understanding of basic sports nutrition for youth athletes.
• Research and development experience in Strength and Conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
• A postgraduate degree in sports science (or another relevant discipline).
• CASES accreditation or currently undergoing supervised experience.
• Football coaching qualifications.
• Relevant teaching qualification.
• ISAK Accreditation.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Wellbeing

At Nottingham Forest Football Club we are committed to creating an environment where differences are respected, individuality is celebrated, everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Our goal is to ensure every member of our team can be themselves, contribute fully, and reach their potential without barriers.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We continue to develop policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing across our workforce. To help us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable, we ask all applicants to provide accurate diversity information during the recruitment process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, taking positive steps to attract, recruit, and support disabled people. As part of this commitment, we work hard to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and provide reasonable adjustments at every stage from the application process through to ongoing support in the workplace.

If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Please indicate this in your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club's commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service ("DBS") check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.

Health and Safety

At Nottingham Forest Football Club, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work. You must also cooperate with the Club's health and safety policies and procedures. Should you identify any health and safety concerns, please report them promptly to your manager or a member of the Health and Safety/Facilities team.

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