Academy Sports Psychologist (SEPiT) and PhD Student

Employer: West Bromwich Albion FC & Liverpool John Moores University

Location: WBA Academy Building, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4LF 

Contract type:  Full time

Contract duration: Fixed term

Length: 3 Years

Bursary: Full tuition fees for three years and the award of a living stipend at UK Research Council Rates

Full description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to undertake a fully funded applied PhD Studentship in conjunction with The Football Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University and West Bromwich Albion FC. The applied PhD project will be based in house at West Bromwich Albion FC academy and will look to deliver a psychology curriculum (including performance psychology, mental health & wellbeing) to players, staff and parents/carers with players aged 9-23 years. The project itself will be focused around examining the current culture and environment within the academy and will look to examine the following areas: 

• Understanding the perceptions of key stakeholders (staff, players, and parents/carers) of the current environment and culture within the WBA Academy.

• Development of a framework to create the culture and environment within the academy using contemporary literature, existing practices and policies, and key stakeholder recommendations. 

• Delivery and evaluation of perceptions following the implementation of a new culture and environment. 

As part of the Academy Sports Science & Medicine team and as a Doctoral student, the key responsibilities of this role are: 

• To devise and implement a psychology programme for the parents/carers in the Academy including workshops. 

• To devise and implement a psychology programme for the staff in the Academy including workshops, in service training days, feedback and discussion meetings with staff in the different phases and departments. 

• To provide feedback to the staff in relationship to their work but also in relation to the development of their players. 

• To devise and implement a psychology programme for the players in the Academy which will be differentiated in relation to the relative phases. 

• To provide individual support and individual programmes to players on the full-time programme in the Youth Development and Professional Development Phases. 

• To set generic and individual goals/targets/objectives for player’s dependent on their needs and their age and from discussions with the players, coaches and parents/carers. 

• To attend all relevant meetings and conferences organized by the relevant organizing bodies. 

• To maintain and update the performance management application (PMA). 

• To update the players’ Performance Clock and hold review meetings at appropriate times. 

• To manage individual player programmes and reviews. 

• To ensure the Academy Performance Plan underpins the work of the department. 

• To fulfil the academic, professional, and personal requirements associated with the completion of tasks linked to Doctoral level postgraduate research and the role of a practitioner in elite football. 

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands 

Essential skills: 

• Experience of working in the elite sporting environment 

• BSc in Sport Science, Psychology or related field 

• To maintain membership of BPS/BASES 

• To be on the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register of Health and Care Professionals or on one of the approved training routes/pathways towards HCPC registration (i.e. SEPiT). 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Team player 

• Positive attitude 

• Desire to improve young athletes 

• Two satisfactory references from previous employers & enhanced DBS check 

• Energy and enthusiasm 

Desirable Skills: 

• Postgraduate qualification in Sport Science, psychology, or related field 

• Experience of working in academy football 

• Knowledge of LTAD frameworks 

• Experience using PMA 

• Knowledge of the EPPP requirements 

• Extensive sports science delivery experience 

• Full & clean UK driving license

Package description 

Equality and Diversity West Bromwich Albion FC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to provide equality and fairness for all employees and opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. West Bromwich Albion Football Club also welcomes applications from suitably qualified members of the armed forces family. Safer Recruitment West Bromwich Albion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. WBA’s Safeguarding, Equality and Whistleblowing policies can be accessed here https://www.wba.co.uk/club/about-us/club-policies... An Enhanced DBS check and references will be carried out prior to appointment in post.

Vacancy website address: https://www.wba.co.uk/club/vacancies