Player Development Programme Coordinator

About the Role

Sligo Rovers Football Club, in partnership with the Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), seeks a dedicated Coordinator to design, implement, and oversee an education and development program for aspiring young football players and learners from marginalized backgrounds. This program supports early school leavers, secondary school graduates, and social protection recipients in the region, promoting their growth through sport and education.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, promote, and deliver a comprehensive full-time training program for learners.
• Develop, continuously review, and enhance the curriculum and overall program management in collaboration with MSLETB staff, learners, external tutors, and stakeholders.
• Recruit and assess participants by engaging local community groups, football clubs, schools, and other organizations to identify and register future learners.
• Oversee curriculum delivery, discipline, certification processes, and coordination of work experience, guidance, and counseling support.
• Manage procurement of necessary supplies and services for daily operations.
• Ensure all training activities comply with TQAS, QQI, and ITEC quality standards.
• Supervise and develop program staff, fostering teamwork and leadership.
• Identify opportunities to achieve QQI accreditation for learners and facilitate their achievement of major awards.
• Manage the ETB program efficiently, ensuring trainees' welfare and well-being, including those returning from professional club release or playing abroad.
• Deliver and evaluate training modules, providing individualized support and guidance to participants.
• Regularly assess learner progress through group and individual evaluations and develop personal learning plans to support progression to further education, training, or employment.
• Review and update the program annually, implementing improvements as needed.
• Maintain oversight of all equipment and resources necessary for program delivery.
• Coordinate closely with assistant coordinators and conduct regular meetings to maintain smooth program operations.
• Perform additional duties assigned by MSLETB or Sligo Rovers FC, including health and safety adherence and covering assistant coordinator as needed.
• Develop and implement an evidence-based technical and tactical football curriculum aimed at enhancing individual and team performance.
• Conduct daily training with strategic objectives to create detailed player profiles suitable for professional club promotion.
• Use sports science methodologies to measure and improve physical performance, incorporating strength and conditioning principles.
• Utilize performance analysis tools such as GPS monitoring, and monitor nutrition, hydration, rest, and recovery to enhance athlete performance.
• Support the mental and emotional development of trainees through confidence building, motivation, and resilience training, aiming to prepare them for professional sports careers.
• Collaborate with FAI Player Welfare and Liaison Officers to identify and support young players released from academies who are at risk of disengagement from sports or society.
• Maintain a performance-driven culture by generating data on the technical, tactical, mental, and physical progress of trainees locally and nationally.
• Work closely with the FAI Coach Education Department to facilitate access to coaching education and UEFA licensing assessments.
• Develop a work experience advocacy program for trainees and provide ongoing mentorship and career guidance as they pursue education, employment, or professional football.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Possesses a relevant recognized third-level academic qualification or equivalent prior learning recognition.
• Demonstrates successful experience working with male and female learners aged 16+ from socio-economically disadvantaged and marginalized backgrounds, including those with behavioral challenges.
• Experienced in coordinating and delivering QQI Level 5 modules to groups of 24-32 learners, including familiarity with ETB Quality Assurance Systems and QQI accreditation management.
• Proficient in IT applications such as MS Teams, MS Office, and social media platforms for course promotion.
• Well-versed in local and regional football structures and professional player development pathways.
• Holds a full driving license.
• Understands the promotion of social inclusion through sport and the roles of local statutory and voluntary sectors related to sports development.
• Familiar with the National Framework of Qualifications, current FAI Player Development Pathway and Coach Education Pathway, as well as FAI strategic documents.
• Holds athletic coaching qualifications, specifically UEFA A coaching certification and a recognized QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer qualification.
• Demonstrates excellent administration, organizational, verbal and written communication skills, and a high level of self-motivation.