We are looking for a passionate Academy Sports Science Lead to manage the development and
performance of academy players at Morecambe Football Club’s Academy, primarily responsible for the
U18 age group within the Club's Academy. If you're excited about making a difference and contributing
to the Club’s long-term success, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Academy Physiotherapy to design and
implement a comprehensive monitoring system to track and manage each player's individual needs. This
system will focus on reducing injury risk, optimizing health and wellbeing, and ensuring players are fully
prepared for training and competition. The role-holder will collect and analyse pre-training physiological
data at key intervals to assess individual player status
Department: Sports Science/Physiotherapy, Academy
Reports to: Academy Manager & Head of Academy Coaching
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours of work
37.5 hours per week, flexible in line with demands of the role.
This role involves
regular weekend and evening work, including unsociable hours, as required to
meet the needs of the Academy fixtures.
Remuneration: Subject to Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Holiday
Entitlement
Holidays are normally taken during the football academy closure periods.
Probationary
Period
Initial probationary period of 6 months
Key Internal
Relationships: Physiotherapy team and Academy management; Academy PDP, YDP and FDP
Coaches; Academy Head of Education & DSO; General Manager;
Head of Finance and HR & Senior Safeguarding Manager.
Purpose of the role:
Integral to the development of the Academy players, the role-holder will
have significant experience working with young athletes, particularly
within a professional sports environment and be driven to deliver the
highest standards of care, support and guidance for our young players.
Working in collaboration with all departments within Morecambe’s
Academy, the core aim of the role is to influence, support and educate key
stakeholders in the role of sport science in player development and
contribute to meetings and player reviews for the U18 squad. Supporting
the Academy Manager, Academy Head of Coaching and the Academy
Professional Development Phase Coach for the provision and
development of Academy players/age groups.
Availability (and travelling) will be required for the role-holder to attend
all games, including weekends and midweek fixtures, as applicable.
Key Tasks &
Responsibilities
• To lead in Sports Science in support the Academy and Youth
Development Programme at all levels.
• To attend Academy training and games to provide Sports Science
physical training for the Professional Development Phase (U18s)
• To plan Sports Science training for the Academy Foundation and
Youth Development Phases (U9s – U16s)
• Lead the Strength & Conditioning programme with management
and take accountability for design, planning and implementation of
return-to-play, loading, nutrition, pre-season conditioning and
rehabilitation processes
• Provide GPS support and support coaching staff in football session
planning and lead on the physiological training games programme,
monitoring external/internal/psycho-social training load.
• To cover training sessions and matches at the Academy’s principal
training venue and other venues, as required
• To provide Sports Science programmes to the players in the
Academy
• Execution and monitoring of physical-attribute testing procedures,
data collection and analysis, including player reviews and relevant
interventions.
• To deliver fitness testing for the players in the Academy
• To provide injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes and to
provide nutritional support across the age ranges
• To carry out daily monitoring and training load data collection,
providing reports to the Academy Manager, coaching staff and
players
• To maintain up to date Sports Science records on the FOOTBALL
INTELLIGENCE system
• To attend relevant Academy staff meetings
• To attend CPD and training events organised by the Club/FA/EFL
and other courses relevant to the role
• Able to work in a team environment and promote team culture.