Bury St Edmunds Talent Academy: Assistant Coaches
We are seeking to recruit a new Talent Academy (TA) performance coach to join the existing team at Bury St Edmunds, working with athletes aged 14-18 across East Anglia. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to talent development, working with athletes with the potential to become international players or high-level university and club athletes.
About the Talent Academy
Our TA is based at Culford Hockey Centre near Bury St Edmunds and is one of 24 across the country for the highest level of youth players. We serve clubs and schools in Norfolk, Suffolk, and South Lincolnshire, supporting around 60 players through nearly 100 hours of coaching from September to July, culminating in a national festival in July.
The programme includes Monday night training, occasional Sunday sessions, fixtures, and off-pitch/online learning. The TA is led by Lisa Letchford, a current England U21 assistant coach and former England Hockey Lead Talent Coach.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will join the on-field coaching team, working alongside lead coaches to develop a team of three coaches per squad (boys and girls).
The Person
* Passionate about becoming a high-performance coach with relevant experience and knowledge in hockey techniques, tactics, and coaching trends.
* Experience coaching at County level or higher.
* Understanding of talent development principles and athlete progression.
* Experience in planning and delivering high-performance coaching programs for junior athletes.
* Innovative coaching approach tailored to individual and team needs.
* Strong communication skills for engaging with coaches, players, parents, and managers.
* Self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
* Committed to personal development and equality in sport.
* Adherence to health and safety policies and the England Hockey Code of Ethics.
Responsibilities
On Pitch
* Assist in planning and delivering high-quality training sessions.
* Support team cohesion and consistency during training and competitions.
* Help select players for the programme and fixtures.
* Ensure safety and represent the academy positively.
* Availability for at least 90% of scheduled activities, including evenings and weekends.
Off Pitch
* Player profiling and performance management.
* Maintain communication and support for athletes outside training sessions.
* Participate in online learning sessions (~6 per cycle).
This role description may be amended as needed to meet the evolving needs of the TA. To apply, please email a cover letter and a hockey CV detailing your playing and coaching history.
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