Organisation Reading Football Club Salary £ Competitive Location Bearwood Park Training Ground, Reading RG41 5DB Contract type Closing date 20 November 2025 Job Description Reporting to the Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine, we are looking for 2 psychologists to join us on a part time basis. Each role will be working 16hrs per week. Although both roles will work across all age groups from U9 - U16, one role will have specific responsibility for the U9 - U14 age groups, and the other role will have specific responsibility for U15 - U16 age groups. The successful candidates will be responsible, as part of the Academy performance support team, for the delivery of the performance psychology support to FDP and YDP Players and offer additional support within the wider academy environment to promote the development of well – rounded individuals
Reporting to the Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine, we are looking for 2 psychologists to join us on a part time basis. Each role will be working 16hrs per week. Although both roles will work across all age groups from U9 - U16, one role will have specific responsibility for the U9 - U14 age groups, and the other role will have specific responsibility for U15 - U16 age groups. The successful candidates will be responsible, as part of the Academy performance support team, for the delivery of the performance psychology support to FDP and YDP Players and offer additional support within the wider academy environment to promote the development of well – rounded individuals
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Reading Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships
Safeguarding Statement
Reading Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of children and young people engaged in club activities must take priority over all other considerations. Due to this post being in regulated activity, the potential employee will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. It is a criminal offence for a barred person to attempt to engage with vulnerable group. Engagement will be subject to sight of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and stringent background and reference checks
Key Responsibilities:
To deliver the FDP and YDP sport psychology programme in collaboration with the FT Academy Psychologist.
To conduct observations of U9-U14 / U15 - U16 training and match days
To deliver workshops and supporting material as part of the development syllabus to players, parents, coaches, and other MDT members
To support the delivery and analysis of psychological screening and profiling throughout the season.
To provide 1-1 support to U9-U14 / U15 - U16 players as required.
To work closely with all relevant coaching and MDT staff and contribute to individual player learning plans and reviews throughout the season.
To use evidence-based process to plan and deliver interventions across targeted groups
To assist with the delivery of RFC long term injury rehabilitation programme.
To participate in research that adds value to the academy
To liaise with all relevant staff, where appropriate, to ensure that information, relevant to duties, is communicated effectively and appropriately.
To maintain accurate records of individual sessions and interventions.
To maintain and update qualifications and CPD by both contributing to the club’s department in-service program and attending external course as required.
To regularly attend matches to observe players and coaches in performance environments.
To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Reading Football Club and its operation
Person Specification:
QUALIFICATIONS: Essential - BSc Hons and MSc in Sport Psychology or related discipline degree; Gained, or working towards British Psychological Society (BPS) or CASES chartered status (psychology) accreditation. Desirable - MSc in Sport Psychology or related discipline degree; Registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
EXPERIENCE: Essential - 1 years’ experience of working in Elite Sport, preferably a Team sport and within an Academy football environment.
KNOWLEDGE: Essential - An understanding of the EPPP process in academy football. Desirable - Have an understanding of ACT as a therapeutic framework.
SKILLS: Essential - Computer literacy, Including MS Office and Excel; Encourage, maintain and manage elite footballers. Desirable - Completed Mental Health 1st Aid Training.
ATTITUDE: Essential - An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and sport; Strong commitment to developing elite athletes; Ability to work irregular and unsocial hours as required involving work outside normal office hours, at evenings, weekends and bank holidays