About the Opportunity
Exeter City Football Club is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic university student to join our First Team as a Sport Scientist intern. This placement offers a unique opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a practical setting with elite football players, contributing to their athletic development and injury prevention.
Work will be under the guidance of the S&C MDT alongside working closely with the medical department to assist in load monitoring, on pitch conditioning including pre session warmups and activation alongside in gym S&C sessions.
Role Responsibilities
- Athletic Development: Support the delivery of athletic development sessions for First Team and U21s players, as well as pitch-based strength and conditioning (S&C) sessions.
- Testing & Analysis: Conduct anthropometric and physical testing, analysing results to assess player progress.
- Understand and assist in GPS + Heart Rate load monitoring. Downloading and creating session + match exports to report to coaches.
- Use of Force Plates to assist in gym programming, fatigue and progress monitoring
- General Support: Provide pitch-side aid to help session run smoothly, rehabilitation support, and other responsibilities as needed.
- Personal Development: Continuously expand knowledge in sport science and medicine. Gain key personal skills to be able to work in a professional elite environment.
- Planning and delivering fitness tests and protocols within pre-season.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Criteria:
- Currently studying a degree in Strength & Conditioning (S&C) or Exercise & Sport Science.
- A genuine passion Strength & Conditioning.
- Strong desire to pursue a career in sports science.
Desirable Criteria:
- Valid FA DBS check (or willingness to obtain).
- Experience working with athletes.
- Experience in Coaching.
- Knowledge of growth, maturation, and related injuries.
- Full UK driving licence.
Why Join Us?
- Gain hands-on experience in a professional football environment.
- Contribute to the development of U21s and First Team players.
- Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals committed to progressing the club.
- Access opportunities for personal and professional growth through mentoring and learning initiatives.
- The club has a history of developing interns to integral members of staff post graduation.
Safeguarding Commitment
Exeter City Football Club prioritises the safeguarding, well-being, and safety of all participants. This role requires an enhanced DBS check (provided by us) and adherence to our Safeguarding Policy – training will be provided by us.
Job Description & Specific Role Requirements
Reporting To & Key Liaison with
- Head of First Team Sport Science.
- Head of Medicine
Purpose & Role function
- Assist with U21 & First Team gym and pitch-based S&C sessions.
- Support the delivery of all First Team training sessions.
- Uphold and demonstrate the values, standards and behaviours expected by ECFC both inside & outside the Club.
Other Key relationships
- First Team Management Team
- First Team Head Physiotherapist
- First Team Sports Therapist
- Lead PDP coach
- Sport Science (PhD)
- Support the design and implementation of activities to optimise the health, athletic performance, and well-being of all players.
- Assist with anthropometric and physical testing and analysis to support accurate assessments of player progress.
- Provide support and cover for Sports Science and Medical staff in pitch-side emergency aid, rehabilitation services, and other critical responsibilities as needed.
- Continuously develop knowledge in sports science and medicine.
- Undertake any other reasonable and relevant tasks as assigned.
Safeguarding
- Attend seasonal safeguarding training as required by the Club.
- Adhere to all guidelines contained within the Club's Safeguarding Policy.
- Utilise the ‘MyConcern’ system to ‘recognise, respond, report and record’ any safeguarding incidents in a timely and detailed manner.
- Place player safety and welfare as a top priority at all times.
- Ensure all medical equipment is safe & stored securely.
Qualities & Requirements
2.1 Essential
- Currently studying for a degree in Strength & Conditioning (S&C) or Sport & Exercise Science.
- Genuine passion for working with athletes.
- Strong desire to pursue a career in sport science.
2.1 Desirable
- Valid FA DBS check (current and in date; can be provided by us)
- Full UK driving licence.
- Flexible to the ever-changing schedules derived from EFL football.
- FA Basic First Aid for Sport (BFAS) certification (can be provided by us)
- FA Safeguarding Children Certificate (current and in date; can be provided by us)
- ITMiFF or UEFA FDEP qualification
- Additional certifications in S&C or Sport Science
- Experience working with athletes
- Experience working in football
2.2 Qualities
- Strong desire to work hard and learn (essential)
- Effective communicator and relationship builder (essential)
- Ability to work collaboratively with players, staff, and others (essential)
- Personable, approachable, and friendly manner (essential)
- Good timekeeping (essential)
- Commitment to continuous learning (essential)
- Adaptability and flexibility (essential)
- Willingness and enthusiasm to cooperate and take responsibility (essential)
2.3 Experience
- Knowledge of growth, maturation, and related injuries (desirable)
- Previous experience in a professional sports setting (desirable)
2.4 Other
- High degree of personal drive and motivation (essential)
- Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) certification (essential)
3.1 Regulatory Standards
- Ensure compliance with EPPP Safe to Operate, Compliance, and Standards related to the Sport Science Department.
- Assist the Lead Sport Scientist in providing timely access to relevant player information.
3.2 ISO & EFL Audit
- Assist in maintaining accurate and up-to-date sport science testing and monitoring data, ensuring all records are available.
3.3 Sport Science Provision
- Support monitoring of player progress through various testing and monitoring systems/technologies, ensuring data is accurately collected, stored promptly, and made centrally accessible for all coaches.
- Assist with collecting and processing anthropometric and physical testing data of all players, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- Support the day-to-day sport science provision for all players, including contributing to athletic development sessions (e.g., gym-based S&C, locomotive training, and multi-sport programmes), sometimes leading these sessions.
3.4 Personal Development
- Commit to continuous personal and professional development, demonstrating curiosity and actively seeking learning opportunities from all members of the Sport Science and Medicine team.