London Wayfarers HC: Goalkeeper Academy Head Coach

London Wayfarers HC are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, inspiring, skilled and experienced coach to join our coaching team, and to head up our established and incredibly successful Goalkeeper Academy. 

Working alongside our Director of Hockey and the head coaches for the Boys’ and the Girls’ sections, the successful candidate will oversee the coaching programme, manage and support the coaches for the London Wayfarers Goalkeeper Academy (GKA). They will be responsible for driving culture, embedding the club’s coaching and playing philosophy, raising the quality of hockey across the Goalkeeper Academy (with the aim of continuing/ increasing representation at all levels of England Hockey’s Talent Pathway) and will have full oversight across the junior goalkeeping age groups. In addition they will work to build strong pathways between the junior and senior sections. 

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 19 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. In recent years our junior goalkeepers have been represented at all levels of the Talent System.

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.

Role:   

• Goalkeeper Academy (GKA) Head Coach

Reporting To:  

• The above junior section (and potentially senior section) role reports into the Director of Hockey.

Hours:

• Wednesdays: 1.5 hours (18.00-19.30) at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (SFX), Clapham South.
• Fridays: 3.0 hours (18.00-19.30 and 19.30-21.00) at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (SFX), Clapham South.
• Additional hours available on Sundays working with our wider junior section.
• There is also scope/budget to lead goalkeeper coaching for senior goalkeepers (details to be discussed).

Coaching Rate:

• Hourly rate = £40-£50 p/hr (depending on experience)
• Fixed fee: £1,500 – admin in relation to co-ordination and integration with above role.

Responsibilities:

• 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 Goalkeeper Academy, and to build strong links with all junior age groups and across the wider club.
• Training: To plan and deliver fun and engaging sessions for the Goalkeeper Academy, with the ability/flexibility to adapt to ensure that all players get an appropriate level of stretch and/or support. Attendance at two or more training session(s) per week across the junior age groups:
  • Wednesdays: 1.5 hours (18.00-19.30) at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (SFX), Clapham South.
  • Fridays: 3.0 hours (18.00-19.30 and 19.30-21.00) at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (SFX), Clapham South.
• In addition, to oversee and manage the Summer Hockey midweek programme for the Goalkeeper Academy (at least two sessions per week).
• Session Planning: To produce weekly session plans, adapted to the training needs of players, and distribute to all coaches/volunteers across the age group.
• Kit: To liaise with the GKA Coordinator(s) and volunteers to ensure that players have appropriate goalkeeping kit and that the club has sufficient kit in stock to cater for all activities. In addition, to undergo regular checks of all kit and equipment, to ensure that it is safe and fit for purpose. To advise junior goalkeepers and their parents about kit requirements.
• Talent Identification: To work closely with other GKA coaches and junior age group lead coaches to run introductory/’taster’ sessions for younger members and to identify players who demonstrate potential and a keen interest in pursuing goalkeeping (this could be alongside their involvement in outfield activities).
• Selection/Player Assessment: Liaison with age group lead coaches regarding weekly junior team selections and with coaches/team captains for weekly senior squad allocations. Work with the Director of Hockey and the LW Talent Pathway Group to build a strong pathway for talented junior players, both within the club (juniors and across the senior section) and beyond, and ensure that players are receiving stretch and additional opportunities as appropriate. As GKA Talent Centre representative, to support the Director of Hockey in providing England Hockey Talent Pathway nominations in a timely manner, as and when required.
• Resources and staff development: To help disseminate all relevant resource materials and details of internal/external coach education and development activities with coaches and volunteers for the age group. 
• 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 ASAP.
• Valid First Aid qualification.
• Valid Safeguarding & Protecting Children certificate (UK Coaching).
• DBS enhanced check (must be completed before appointment can be confirmed).
• Right to live and work in the UK (Note: London Wayfarers HC is not able to sponsor visas for potential overseas candidates).

Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience of coaching players, planning and delivering sessions in a performance environment.
• Specialist goalkeeper coaching experience (mandatory).
• Playing and/or coaching experience at a high level (national league level desirable).
• Familiar with England Hockey’s Future Talent Strategy and Talent Development Framework (strong understanding desirable).
• Full UK driving licence (desirable)