Academy Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist

As an integral part of our dynamic team, you will play a crucial role in upholding our organisation's commitment to sustainability. Regardless of your specific role in Finance marketing, HR, procurement, or any other department, we expect all employees to actively embrace and adhere to our sustainability policies. Your dedication to environmentally conscious practices, resource efficiency, and ethical considerations will contribute to our collective efforts in fostering a responsible and sustainable workplace. We believe that each team member, regardless of their functional area, plays a vital role in promoting and implementing sustainable practices that align with our organizational values

Exeter City Football Club seeks to ensure the safety, safeguarding and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk who engage in its activities.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and forward-thinking Academy Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist to join our Academy Medical & Performance Department. Working closely with the Lead Academy Physiotherapist, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality medical care to Academy players, supporting their health, wellbeing and long-term athletic development. This is an exciting opportunity to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis to work within a progressive Category Three Academy committed to developing both players and staff through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Who are we?

Exeter City Football Club is a special club with over 20 years of Supporters’ Trust ownership something we are very proud of. Our ownership model places our supporters and community engagement at the forefront of everything we do and we are proud to have a special place in the heart of the community. Trust ownership is reflected in our commitment to balancing on-field success with long-term sustainability and we have a remarkable track record of nurturing talent through our Academy, promoting players to the first team, and maximising their performance. In addition to the success of our Academy and men’s team Exeter City Women successfully transitioned into being fully managed by the Club in 2024 and were promoted to the third tier of women’s football in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division in 2024.

Culture 

We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce with a broad range of skills, diversity of experiences and perspectives and we embrace the creativity and innovation this brings. We pride ourselves on having an inclusive culture and a workplace that brings opportunity, development and growth. We embrace a culture of accountability where we set clear expectations and goals, open lines of communication and strong leadership.

Role

The successful candidate will support the delivery of a comprehensive medical service across the Academy by assisting in the design and implementation of programmes that optimise player health, performance and wellbeing. The role involves assessing and diagnosing injuries, delivering evidence-based rehabilitation and return-to-play programmes, providing pitch-side emergency medical cover, and contributing to injury prevention strategies through objective testing and rehabilitation protocols.

As Academy Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist the successful candidate will oversee medical equipment and supplies, ensuring all equipment is safe, maintained and fully compliant, while maintaining accurate medical records to meet EPPP, ISO and Club standards.

Supporting the development of casual medical staff through CPD, mentoring and appraisal processes are key responsibilities and contributing to Emergency Action Plans across Academy venues  and working collaboratively with coaches, sport science staff and external practitioners are key to ensuring players receive the highest standard of care.

• Assist the co-ordination and delivery of high-quality medical care for all Academy players.
• Support the management of part-time medical staff to ensure individual upskilling and cover for all Academy activities.
•  Uphold and demonstrate the values, standards and behaviours expected by ECFC both inside & outside the Club.

• Support the design and implementation of activities to optimise the health, athletic performance, and well-being of all Academy players.
• Provide timely and accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and projected return-to-play timelines following any player injury.
• Utilise an evidence-based approach to rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols for players with musculoskeletal injuries.
• Deliver pitch-side emergency aid and ensure effective training of part-time medical staff to maintain a safe environment for all players.
• Help design and implement the Academy rehabilitation, injury risk mitigation and return to play protocols with objective testing.
• Oversee the medical supplies and equipment, ensuring all supplies/equipment are well stocked, in-date and working correctly.
• Conduct weekly checks of all Academy medical equipment to ensure functionality, with documented evidence kept up to date at all times.
• Ensure medical questionnaires are completed and communicate relevant information to stakeholders as required.
• Review the induction medical information of all Academy players and trialists
• Facilitate medical profiling for all new Academy players and maintain up-to-date medical documentation on FIP.
• Maintain comprehensive records for ISO and EPPP compliance, ensuring accurate and timely documentation of all activities using the Club’s note system.
• Contribute to the monthly CPD programme for all sport science and medicine staff in line with individual DAP’s and Departmental needs.
• Support the identification and recruitment of qualified part-time medical staff to meet Academy needs, following the HR recruitment protocol. Collaborate with universities to bring in student physiotherapists and sports therapists, providing educational opportunities and identifying potential future talent for the Academy.
• Support the bi-annual annual appraisal process for all part-time medical staff.
• Provide support and cover for Sports Science and Medical staff in pitch-side duties, rehabilitation services, and other key tasks as needed.
• Contribute to the upkeep and communication of Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s) for all Academy venues.
• Undertake any other reasonable and relevant tasks as assigned.
• Attend seasonal safeguarding training as required by the Club. Ensure all medical equipment is safe & stored securely.
• 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.