Head Coach (Boys’ Section)

Working alongside our Director of Hockey, the successful candidate will oversee the annual coaching programme, manage and support the coaches for the Boys’ Section. Availability for midweek sessions and our Sunday training/fixtures programme is essential.

London Wayfarers HC are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, inspiring and skilled coach to join our coaching team and oversee our junior boys’ section. The club has gone from strength to strength in recent years and caters for players of all abilities and levels of experience from complete beginner to national league. We have one of the largest junior sections in the country and run 18 senior teams (including a mixed team). The ambition of the club was recently recognised by England Hockey with the awarding of their 2019 “Club of the Year” award. We hold the nationally-recognized, cross-sport, ClubMark status and have also recently been accredited as one of England Hockey’s Talent Centre clubs.

Outlined below in this job description are the desired credentials of ‘ideal’ candidates. However, we are looking to broaden the pool of role models for our young players. So, for female coaches (or aspiring female coaches), or those from minority backgrounds, if you would potentially be interested in joining our coaching team but do not fully meet the criteria of the role(s), we would still love to hear from you and to consider your application. It is worth highlighting that the club offers funding for coaching qualifications and relevant training.

Role:

• This role could be combined with additional roles within the club (either senior or junior) and/or within our wider community.

Reporting To:

• Director of Hockey

Hours:

• To be discussed with the candidate but availability for ideally two midweek evenings (or more) is desirable and for Sunday coaching is essential.

Coaching Rate:

• £30-£40 per hour dependent on knowledge, experience and linked to coaching qualifications.
• Option for additional fixed element to cover off-pitch administration, dependent on scope of the role and experience.

Responsibilities

• Culture and environment – To enhance consistency, raise standards and build strong pathways across the boys’ section. To be familiar with and to promote England Hockey’s healthy talent development principles.
• Planning and delivery – To plan and deliver sessions throughout the year (midweek, weekend and summer hockey) for the boys’ section.
• Section management – Regular liaison with and support for age group lead coaches, including oversight of the boys’ coaching syllabus.
• Fixtures – Management of the boys’ fixtures / competition programme in consultation with the Head of Boys’ Section. Lead tactical preparation for matches and post-game debriefs.
• Selection – To oversee boys’ team/squad selections.
• Talent Pathway – To work with the Men’s Performance Lead Coach and the club’s Talent Pathway Group to build a strong pathway for talented junior players, both within the club (juniors and across the senior section) and beyond.
• EH Player Pathway – To lead on England Hockey Player Pathway nominations for the boys’ section, as and when required.
• Support materials resources – To work with the Director of Hockey and Head Coach (Girls’ Section) to develop resource materials for club coaches and volunteers, and to ensure guidelines and resources developed by the club are filtered down across the section via age group lead coaches and Group Captains.
• Video Analysis – To integrate game analysis into the coaching programme for performance teams.

Requirements

• EH Coach Award / Level 2 qualified (or equivalent) or willingness to work towards one ASAP.
• Valid Safeguarding & Protecting Children certificate (UK Coaching).
• DBS enhanced check (must be completed before appointment can be confirmed).
• Right to live and work in the UK.

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience of coaching players, planning and leading sessions in a junior section.
• Experience of working in a junior performance environment (desirable).
• Playing and/or coaching experience at a high level (desirable).
• Familiar with England Hockey’s Future Talent Strategy and Talent Development Framework (strong understanding desirable).