Academy Sports Science Intern

Role Summary
Doncaster Rovers Football Club Academy are offering Sports Science work placement opportunities for the 2026–27 season.

The successful candidate(s) will gain hands-on experience within an academy performance department, supporting the delivery of physical development and monitoring services across the academy pathway.

Working alongside the medical, sports science and coaching staff, the role will involve assisting in the delivery of gym and pitch-based athletic development, monitoring training loads, and supporting the implementation of individual and group performance programmes.

This placement is aimed at students currently studying a Sport Science or related degree who are looking to develop practical, applied experience within an elite football environment. The placement is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and applied performance practice.

Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the delivery of gym-based and pitch-based athletic development sessions
• Support pre-training preparation, including session setup and equipment management
• Assist with player monitoring processes, including wellness, RPE and GPS data collection
• Support real-time and post-session training load monitoring
• Assist with squad screening, fitness testing and data collection
• Support the implementation of individual strength and conditioning programmes
• Assist with the delivery of return to play and performance-based rehabilitation sessions (in collaboration with medical staff)
• Contribute to data analysis and reporting processes
• Maintain high standards of organisation within gym and performance environments
• Contribute to a multi-disciplinary approach, working alongside medical and coaching staff
• Engage with individual development plans (IDPs) where appropriate
• Keep up to date with current sports science research to support departmental development
• Support the wider Performance Department as required to ensure an effective and integrated programme

The role may require evening and weekend availability in line with the academy fixture and training schedule.

The Academy reserves the right to amend duties in line with operational requirements. Placement students may be asked to undertake additional duties of a similar nature where appropriate.

Person Specification

• Currently studying (or recently completed) a BSc in Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning or related field
• Ability to undertake a placement year / sandwich year (where applicable)
• Emergency First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain)
• FA Safeguarding Children certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Strong IT literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Understanding of athlete monitoring tools (e.g. GPS, RPE) – desirable
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Personal Qualities/Attributes 

• Professional, reliable and committed
• Organised with good attention to detail
• Proactive and willing to learn
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Confident communicating with players, staff and parents
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends
• Positive team player

Important information:

The above mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

Applicants must hold a full driving licence. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure up-to-date documentation is provided to Club Doncaster. 

About Club Doncaster:

Club Doncaster is the elite brand of sporting organisations working to support and strive forward our community. Our spoken aim is to be: an ambitious and successful club of which the community is proud of.

We work with a culture that promotes unity, creativity and aspiration to promote success – this is why we are Club Doncaster.

We look for people with passion, honesty and who embrace a challenge on a daily basis, with the energy and passion to strive forward and prove each day.

Safeguarding:

Club Doncaster takes its safeguarding responsibility very seriously. This means recruiting the correct people for Club Doncaster.

We acknowledge our clear responsibility to safeguard children and vulnerable groups in our care, and have policies and guidelines to ensure this.

The successful candidate will have to complete an Enhanced DBS check before starting employment with the club.

Equal opportunities:

Club Doncaster is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Our Recruitment and Selection Policy, Code of Conduct, Diversity & Equality Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and Right to work in UK Policy are available to all applicants on request.