Talent Academy Goalkeeper Coaches / Team Managers

We are looking for two experienced and ambitious goalkeeper coaches to join our Talent Academy coaching team for the 2026/27 season.

The priority is to recruit quality goalkeeper coaches however ideally the successful applicants will also take dual responsibility as the team manager.  We are recruiting for the following two positions:

• Boys’ Goalkeeper Coach / Team Manager
• Girls’ Goalkeeper Coach / Team Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to take responsibility for goalkeeper development across both the Emerging and Aspiring squads within either our Boys’ or Girls’ programme.

You will work as an integral member of the wider coaching team, under the direction of the relevant Lead Coach and supported by the Technical Director.

The Role

We want goalkeeper development to be fully integrated with the way our teams play.

The role is therefore about much more than developing individual goalkeeping technique. You will work closely with our outfield coaches to develop goalkeepers who understand and contribute to defensive structures, circle defence, penalty corner defence and the wider principles of play.

You will:

• Lead goalkeeper coaching across Emerging and Aspiring squads.
• Take responsibility for individual goalkeeper development plans.
• Plan and deliver high-quality goalkeeper coaching.
• Integrate goalkeeper development with wider team play.
• Develop goalkeeper decision-making and communication.
• Work closely with Lead and Squad Coaches.
• Use video and performance analysis to support development.
• Contribute goalkeeper expertise to coaching and tactical discussions.
• Prepare and support goalkeepers during fixtures.
• Help create a positive and ambitious development culture.
• Take active responsibility for the safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing of the young people in your care. 

Team Manager responsibilities

During fixtures, the Lead and Squad Coaches will concentrate primarily on coaching and tactical decisions.

The Goalkeeper Coach will therefore also normally act as Team Manager, supporting the coaching team by:

• Managing substitutions under the lead and squad coaches’ direction.
• Be responsible for Ben's discipline and culture
• Monitoring and recording player minutes.
• Supporting match-day organisation and logistics.
• Maintaining accurate player and staff attendance records.

This allows you to remain closely involved with the squad throughout competition while supporting both the goalkeepers and the wider coaching team.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for goalkeeper coaches who combine strong specialist knowledge with an understanding of the wider game.

Applicants must:

• Hold a minimum England Hockey Level 2 coaching qualification (or recognised equivalent) appropriate to the role.
• Hold, or be willing and eligible to obtain, the appropriate DBS clearance required for the role before undertaking regulated Talent Academy activity.
• Complete and maintain all England Hockey / Talent Academy safeguarding requirements and training.
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to the safeguarding, welfare and appropriate care of young people.

Ideally, you will have:

• Relevant goalkeeper coaching experience.
• Experience within performance or talent environments.
• A strong understanding of modern goalkeeper development.
• Understanding of defensive structures and principles of play.
• Confidence working collaboratively with outfield coaches.
• A genuine interest in individual player development.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• An open, reflective and collaborative coaching approach.
• Ambition to continue developing your own coaching career.

We are particularly interested in coaches who see goalkeepers as an integral part of the team rather than a separate specialist group.

Programme format

For 2026/27 we are moving towards a more camp-based Talent Academy programme, rather than relying predominantly on two-hour Monday evening sessions in Bury St Edmunds.

This will mean fewer visits to Bury St Edmunds, but longer coaching days, alongside fixtures and selected training sessions.

We are also introducing separate Emerging and Aspiring squads for both Boys and Girls. Each Goalkeeper Coach will work across both squads within one gender, providing continuity of goalkeeper development and clear progression through the programme.

This new format should make the roles more accessible to high-quality coaches travelling from further afield.

Commitment

This is a significant coaching commitment. We expect coaches to commit fully to the programme and make Talent Academy activity one of their priorities.  We recognise that occasional unavoidable conflicts may arise, but applicants should expect to attend the full programme wherever possible.

We expect every Coach to make an active and ongoing commitment to their own personal and professional development.