U9-U12 Foundation Phase Coach (Casual)

About the Role:

To play a vital role in nurturing potential, inspiring ambition and shaping the future of the young Nottingham Forest Academy players through coaching excellence. With a focus on holistic development, you are tasked to contribute towards the club’s culture of learning, discipline and creativity, guiding young talent through these early and exciting stages of their football journey.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging, high-quality coaching sessions for a designated age group within the Foundation Phase, ensuring full alignment with the club’s coaching curriculum and player development philosophy.
• Lead matchday coaching for a foundation phase age group within the academy games programme, fostering a competitive, supportive environment where young players can thrive.
• Design, implement, and continuously evaluate Individual Development Plans (IDPs) tailored to each player’s need, whilst integrating them into session design and matchday performance.
• Represent Nottingham Forest with professionalism and pride at high-level international tournaments, embodying the club’s values on and off the pitch.
• Collaborate on player movement decisions across age groups, providing informed rationale to support individual growth and development opportunities.
• Select and prepare academy squads for weekly fixtures, with selections approved in coordination with the Head of Foundation Phase and Coach Development and Methodology Manager.
• Ensure all training sessions are creative, inspiring and submitted in advance to the Coach Development and Methodology Manager, reflecting clear objectives and purposeful design.
• Support the analysis process through match and training observations, utilising video footage and working alongside Performance Analysts to deliver impactful feedback to young players both individually and collectively.
• Contribute meaningfully to recruitment and retention discussions, including trialist assessments and player review meetings within the Foundation Phase.
• Maintain accurate and timely records by completing all mandatory weekly data on Football IP / Kitman Labs to support player tracking and development.
• Provide regular, honest, and constructive feedback to players throughout the season, helping manage expectations and fostering a growth mindset.
• Play an active role in the player review process, supporting formal evaluations across the four key review points each season.
• Ensure trialist procedures are followed with integrity, contributing to fair and effective assessment of performance in both training and games.
• Promote and uphold the highest standards of conduct for players, parents, and staff, in line with the [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] Code of Conduct.
• Engage in continuous professional development, staying current with coaching qualifications and seeking out learning opportunities to elevate personal and professional performance.
• Support Foundation Phase operations by driving club transport when required, ensuring safe and timely travel for football activity.
• Carry out any reasonable tasks as directed by the Academy Manager, Coach Development and Methodology Manager, or Head of Foundation Phase, demonstrating adaptability, leadership, and a commitment to the club’s long-term success.

What are we looking for:

• A creative thinker with a track record and passion for player development.
• Foundation Phase or Pre Academy coaching experience.
• Positive and high energy outlook with an ability to influence young players.
• UEFA B Licence coach with a record of continuous professional development.
• FA Youth Award
• Experience in designing and delivering impactful Individual Development Plans (IDPs), tailored to nurture the unique potential of each academy player.
• Deep understanding of player development pathways, combined with the ability to apply innovative, evidence-based coaching and teaching methods.
• A creative edge that brings fresh energy to planning and delivery of the coaching curriculum.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a flexible mindset that enables effective teamwork across multi-disciplinary departments.
• Skilled in the design and delivery of presentations that captivate and inspire young players, making learning both meaningful and memorable.
• Calm and focused under pressure, with a strong work ethic and commitment, even during non-traditional working hours to help the academy achieve its objectives.

Desirable:

• A proven track record of designing and implementing innovative coaching initiatives.
• FA Advanced Youth Award (or working towards)
• UEFA A Licence.
• BFAS First Aid Award (or working towards).
• Competent in utilising online platforms such as Football IP/Kitman Labs and Hudl.