The area Talent Academy run by Reading Hockey is looking to appoint talented and qualified coaches to join before the new program starts in September 2022. Reading Hockey is one of the 17 Talent Academy’s selected by England Hockey and we are building a coaching team that can deliver the new EH Talent System Framework.

The aim of the academy is to provide regular high-level coaching and training to around 50 players aged 15 to 18 from September through to July, with additional coaching to an extended group of around 70 young players in school holidays.

This will be an exciting and rewarding opportunity to support the development of high-potential junior hockey players within the England Hockey Talent System. Coaches will be part of a dynamic team of organisers and coaches who will help to create an intensive and competitive training environment with a healthy talent development culture.

The Reading TA will be headed by the Talent Academy Operating Officer and a Head of Talent. There will be two squads one of boys and one of girls and we aim to appoint Head and Assistant coaches for each gender.

Sessions will be on Mondays from September 2022 to July 2023 with some Sunday sessions when the Academies are in the Competition phase. In school holidays there will be high-performance camps for the squad plus additional young players with high potential.

Head Coach Role Summary
Working with the Head of Talent, this role will be required to deliver the coaching programme which will engage, excite and develop talented athletes.
Head Coach Key responsibilities:
• Work with the other coaches to coordinate, deliver and review the open assessments phase including the selection process and providing of feedback.
• Lead & plan challenging weekly sessions some of which will be classroom based to deliver the Talent Academy education programme
• Work closely with Assistant coaches to ensure that each session is purposeful & provides stretch for the players
• Work with the Head of Talent and TA Operating Officer (TAOO) to support the transition of players into and out of the Talent Academy environment.
• Provide 1:1 feedback to players & provide informed and impartial evidence and opinion on players to the Head of Talent at appropriate points throughout the cycle.
• Maintain each player’s training profile in accordance with England Hockey guidelines using the EH Talent Academy CRM
• Understand and apply the principles of the England Hockey Talent System Framework (https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/media/news/gb-hockey-talent-system-framework)
• When appropriate, assist the TAOO in agreeing cover arrangements if unable to be present.
• Coaches are expected to demonstrate safeguarding principles and be aware of the needs of the player. They should also have an awareness of the mental health and wellbeing of the players and coaches in their team.

Assistant Coach Key responsibilities:
• Work with Head Coach to deliver TA sessions
• Be available from September 2022 through to July 2023 for the weekly sessions & competition phase where games will be played over selected Sundays
• Provide 1:1 feedback to players & provide impartial informed and impartial evidence and opinion to the Head Coach to help maintain each player’s profile in accordance with England Hockey guidelines
• understand and apply the principles of the England Hockey Talent System Framework (https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/media/news/gb-hockey-talent-system-framework)
• When appropriate, assist the TAOO in agreeing cover arrangements if unable to be present.
• Coaches are expected to demonstrate safeguarding principles and be aware of the needs of the player. They should also have an awareness of the mental health and wellbeing of the players and coaches in their team.

Key skills for both roles
• Hold a current hockey coaching certificate
• Be prepared to undergo a DBS enhanced check
• Organised, reliable & good communication skills
• Has a proven track record of coaching and developing Junior hockey players
• Able to inspire and motivate players
• Be prepared to use video or tracking technology to assist coaching
• Be diligent about Safeguarding, Welfare, Health & Safety and quality in everything we do.
• Full driving license

Payment will be competitive and based on qualifications.

To apply please send CV and covering letter to Judith Barton:
judith.barton@readinghockeyclub.co.uk.
Closing date Monday 25th July