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Coaches on the Club Placement Programme
Ongoing Learning

Club Placement Programme

Academy placement opportunities at professional clubs for coaches from underrepresented backgrounds.
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course overview

Introduction to Coaching Football

Course type:

Initiative

Duration:

Season-long

About the programme

Across all levels of both the men's and women's game, coaches from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and female backgrounds continue to be significantly underrepresented within key positions.

The FA is committed to changing that. The Club Placement Programme is designed to address the lack of diversity across the game to ensure the diversity of the coaching teams are proportionate and reflective of the current game.

We're committed to developing more opportunities for coaches from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and female backgrounds to get essential experience to challenge for coaching and technical roles in football. 

As part of our Coach Inclusion and Diversity Plan, we've partnered with a substantial number of professional clubs and academies across the men’s and women’s game on the Club Placement Programme, to offer exciting placement opportunities for coaches from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Reporting to the club's head of coaching, successful candidates will take on a part-time volunteer role within a club’s category 1, 2 or 3 academy for placements in the men’s game, or FA Women’s National League Club (FA WNL) or Professional Game Academies (PGAs) for placements in the women’s game.

And through a carefully structured programme of learning and development opportunities they will gain invaluable experience and exposure within a professional environment.

Women's and Girls' Game Applications

Application criteria

Personal specification

  • UEFA B Licence (or currently undertaking UEFA B)

  • Current DBS clearance

  • Safeguarding and First Aid Qualifications

  • Computer literate

  • FA licensed coach

Please note this a voluntary role. Expenses will be covered.

Clubs would welcome applications from:

Clubs in the men’s game would welcome applications from male or female applicants of Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic origin who are aged 18 years or older and meet the application criteria.


Clubs in the women’s game would welcome applications from female applicants only from historically under-represented groups, which we define as Black, Asian, Mixed and other ethnic background, LGBTQ+, and lower socio-economic backgrounds, who meet the application criteria.

 

The role - Men’s & Boys’ Game

Reporting to the head of coaching, successful applicants for the Club Placement Programme within the Men’s & Boys' game will:

  • Gain an understanding of the coaching programme across all age groups of players and deliver related practices associated with excellence in football

  • Have the opportunity to support the development of academy players

  • Gain an understanding of planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching sessions on P.M.A.

  • Have the opportunity to record and evaluate player’s performance within sessions & games

  • Have the opportunity to monitor players and report their progress on a regular basis, completing the relevant reports

  • Commit to a training and games programme as required

  • Have the opportunity to get across and attend internal meetings and CPD events provided by the club

  • Gain an understanding and knowledge of Football League rules and the company policies and procedures relating to the role

  • Gain invaluable experience of recruitment within the age phases

  • Attendance of a season-long webinar series focused on developing skilful players

The role - Women & Girls’ Game

Delivered throughout the season, successful applicants for the Club Placement Programme within the women and girls’ game will:

  • Get the experience of a high-quality coaching environment, working within an MDT.

  • Have the opportunity to support the development of skilful players.

  • Gain an understanding of planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching sessions on P.M.A.

  • Have the opportunity to record and evaluate player’s performance within sessions & games.

  • Have the opportunity to attend internal meetings and CPD events provided by the club (if applicable).

  • Have the opportunity to understand what is needed to develop female players and support their health, psychology, and wellbeing within a professional environment.

  • Access to three bespoke inspirational events.

  • Off pitch mentoring and coach development.

Essential requirements

  • A desire to pursue a career in the football industry and be committed, enthusiastic and highly motivated, showing a passion for developing players

  • Ability to work as part of a team, work evenings and weekends as required and buy-in to the club philosophy.

  • A positive and professional attitude and the ability to work with a range of individuals

  • Enhanced DBS clearance prior to taking the job role

  • Have a flexible attitude to work and be able to work independently and proactively
The Club Placement Programme is a major commitment from The FA and these clubs to creating a better reflection of ethnicity and gender in key positions at this level. These placements will provide a unique experience for aspiring coaches from underrepresented communities.

Butch Fazal, Coach Inclusion & Diversity Lead

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