Cheltenham Town FC Academy is welcoming applications for an Academy Lead Sports Therapist who will oversee the planning and implementation of our Academy Schoolboy (U9-U16) Medical strategy.
We are looking for an individual who will support the development of our schoolboy players by establishing our medical protocols, managing our casual staff and can communicate effectively with key stakeholders.
The Academy Lead Sports Therapist will report to the Academy Senior Physiotherapist. They will lead a report into the schoolboy MDT, collaborate with the Academy Lead Sports Scientist to develop player rehabilitation and prehabilitation programs and manage the injury assessment and return to play processes.
The role would suit someone with knowledge of sports therapy or physiotherapy in Academy football or youth sport, and is seeking to gain full-time experience within an Academy setting. The ideal candidate will hold a minimum ITMMiF qualification (Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football, by the FA) and a BSc in Sports Therapy, Physiotherapy or Rehabilitation.
The role is full-time (35 hours a week) and would suit someone who has the flexibility to work evenings and weekend fixtures. At present, the role would be paid in line with the national living wage.
The successful candidate will be joining an ambitious Category 3 Academy with a dedicated and experienced staff that is striving to be the best they possibly can be.
Academy Lead Sports Therapist
Responsible to: Academy Senior Physiotherapist
Build Relationships with
Internal: Academy Manager, Post-16 Development Manager, lead Phase Coaches, Coaches (Part Time), Heads of department, Player Care Manager, First Team staff and Players.
External: Premier League clubs & Football League clubs, FA, Universities/colleges, FAYCD, and PFA.
Salary: Entry level
Location
Cheltenham Town FC Training Ground, Cheltenham, GL51 9RX
Working Pattern and Work base
Full time 35 hours per week
- Flexible working arrangements/hours
- Required to work outside of normal office hours, at evenings and weekends, on bank holidays and public holidays.
- Required to work across different bases
Travel
Regular travel to fixtures, meetings and other events in connection with the performance of the duties detailed below.
Overall purpose of the job
Manage and coordinate the sports medicine service for players and staff in line with EPPP requirements, as outlined in the Academy Performance Plan for the Youth Development, Foundation Phases and the Post-16 Development Team.
Provide medical support to the Youth Development, Foundation Phases and Development Centre Teams creating individual rehabilitation programmes, injury prevention programmes, data collection and reviewing the outcomes.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
Sports Science & Medicine
- Provide training and match day medical management for Youth Development, Foundation Phases and the Post-16 Development Team
- Player monitoring (wellness), injury assessment, data collection & review, injury management, rehabilitation, training & match day emergency pitch side first aid
- Work with the Academy Lead Sport Scientist to provide specific physical development training sessions for players
- In collaboration with sports science and the senior physiotherapist, design and manage an injury prevention/prehabilitation programme for all progressive phases.
- Manage and coordinate individualised screening and prehabilitation for players across all age groups (U9-U16)
- Work with the academy sports science and medical department to perform testing, collect data and present insights for all academy players.
- Support the Senior Physiotherapist in managing and coordinating player cardiac screenings (U15-U19)
- Manage and coordinate injury clinics
- Communicate with players, parents and coaching staff about injury progress and return to play times
- Meetings Responsibilities:
- Report updates and findings to the academy management team and departmental meetings (monthly)
- Attend Academy Management meetings
- Attend Schoolboy MDT Meetings
- Provide support to the Senior Physiotherapist to ensure the medical Academy EFL Youth Development Rules are satisfied and documented on the club's audit tool
- Record all data and update medical notes on KML iP in line with the EFL Youth Development Rules and HCPC/SST requirements
- Conduct equipment checks relating to the role and stock take medical supplies
Personal growth:
- Undertake self-development to ensure knowledge in relation to all aspect of role is up-to-date and forward thinking
- Attendance at the relevant CPD & in-service training programme as specified throughout the season.
Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post and to assist the Academy Manager