Thunder Performance Pathway Support Team
Manchester Thunder are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated individual with leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, passion for the game and proven experience of working in Netball Performance environments to help us deliver on our vision, mission and objectives. Â
These are exciting times for our sport, with the start of NSL 2.0 fast approaching this is an exciting opportunity to develop the best young players that Manchester Thunder has in a combined training and competition environment. We are seeking an outstanding individual to support our ambitious aims. The development of our players and the chance to help guide them through the pathway and onto NSL senior teams and towards International success is paramount. It is critical you understand the differences between the domestic & International game & the performance prerequisites. If you want to make high performance coaching your career then this affords you the opportunity to do so in established NSL environments. We look forward to taking you on the journey.
Manchester Thunder Pathway Head Coach
Job Title | Manchester Thunder Pathway Head Coach |
Department | Performance |
Responsible to: | Head of Pathway + Franchise Director |
Salary: | £32,000 + bonuses |
Job Summary
The NSL Pathway Head Coach will work as part of the Manchester Thunder team to manage a World Class Performance Pathway Programme, developing players for competition at NSL and within England representative sides aiming to achieve domestic and international success. The role includes the identification and development of talented players and facilitating their ongoing progression for NSL and EN.Â
KEY ACTIVITIES
Programme:
- In conjunction with NSL identified senior personnel the pathway head coach will establish and develop a Performance Pathway Programme, leading, managing and systematically preparing players both on and off the court for performance competitions and accelerating their individual development as players.
- Set the direction of the programme and deliver an annual plan that is aligned to a development curriculum covering technical, tactical, physical and mental development.
- Liaise with Strength & Conditioning Coaches and other multi-disciplinary team members where appropriate to ensure added value to the Performance Pathway programme.
- Develop, monitor and manage the training schedule and load of players within the programme. Engage with key stakeholders in player networks to ensure that training programmes and competition schedules can coexist effectively.
- Programme manage a team of pathway coaches across all age groups U11-Next Gen, ensuring they are delivering on annual plans and athlete IPP – mentoring them in their roles where needed to help develop our coaches.
- Liaise with England Netball staff to case manage the International players and contribute to their Individual Athlete Plans.
- Ensure competitive opportunities with other NSL Teams or equivalent opposition to complement and prepare players for EN performance competitions.
- Support the EN delivery of the DISE programme.
Scouting/Screening/Selection:
- Support Head of Pathways and help to manage the process of screening of players into the programme in conjunction with NSL Head Coach and Scouts/Selectors where appropriate. In line with an agreed policy and talent development principles. Ensure that screening data is collated and analysed and that the appropriate feedback is given to players.
- Establish a network of entry points into the NSL programme and provide strategic programme/player directives to County and Satellite Academy/Club/School Coaches where appropriate.
- Lead and manage the exit process for players leaving the pathway, ensure that each player undertakes an exit interview and create reports.
- Contribute to the EN Player Pathway Database as necessary.
Managing Relationships:
- Liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including players, parents, coaches, volunteers and administrators.
- Engage in productive and cooperative working relationships with England Netball.
- Lead and deliver on Manchester Thunder NXT GEN programme and manage the rest of the performance pathway.
- Management of Assistant Coaches to ensure aligned and effective pathway delivery within the NSL environment.
- Support other Performance Pathway activity and objectives e.g. Positional Days, club tournaments , club leagues , coaching workshops which will be directed and agreed by the NSL Head Coach and EN where needed.
Other:
- Attend a minimum of two England Netball CPD meetings annually.
- Undertake role specific CPD as directed by the NSL Head Coach.
- Abide by the provisions of the Company’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
- Respect and promote the spirit and intentions of the Company’s Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Netball Policy.
- Undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of Manchester Thunder. As such, this job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline of the areas of work and will be subject to amends driven by any subsequent changes in the sporting landscape.
Special Conditions:
- Please note that a large proportion of work will take place outside of normal working hours.
- Travel is essential.
- Current Driving License is desired.
- A DBS check is required for the role.
Person Specification
Educational/Vocational Qualifications | • Netball UKCC Level 2 (E) • Current First Aid Qualification (E) • Current certificate in Safeguarding and Protecting Children (E) • A degree qualification (or equivalent) in one of the following related fields: Sports Coaching, Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine, Sports Management (D) • Netball UKCC Level 3 (D) |
Experience/
Knowledge | • Leadership experience in a Head Coach capacity (E) • Experience of working in a Netball Performance Environment (E) • Experience of delivering training programmes covering Technical, Tactical, Physical and Mental development (E) • Demonstrable experience and understanding of writing an annual plan (E) • Knowledge of EN’s WITTW framework (D) • An understanding of the benefits of Sports Science and Medicine and Performance Analysis, and their application to High Performance Netball (E) • Evidence of innovative and creative delivery (E) • Experience of managing volunteers and working with external partners in a Performance Environment (E) |
Personal Abilities, Aptitudes and Skills | • Excellent coaching skills with the ability to coach across the required age groups (E) • Game sense approach to Coaching (E) • Ability to articulate tactical changes and technical improvements to players in a pressurised situation in a concise and meaningful manner (E) • The ability to motivate players and use initiative to embed a High-Performance culture (E) • Proven leadership skills (E) • The ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team (E) • Excellent communication and engagement skills (E) • The ability to establish and proactively manage positive, trusting and respectful relations with players and key stakeholders (E) • The ability to support and be an advocate for the Manchester Thunder Performance Pathway (E) • Strong planning, organisation and time management skills (E) • High level of competency when using Microsoft Office (E) • Knowledge and experience of using performance analysis (E) • Excellent presentation skills (D) • Good level of competency when using social media tools such as canva (D) |
D = Desirable
E = Essential
Application deadline is 5.00pm Friday 3rd January 2025
Interview Date: Stage 1 – Wednesday 8th January 2025 at Platt Lane Sport Complex, M14 7UU.
If you are excited by the above and have a passion for performance netball, please complete and return the application form below along with your current CV to [email protected] by 5pm 3rd January.
An independent panel will review all applications and successful candidates will be notified and invited to interview/assessment.