Guildford Talent Academy : LEAD Coach; Girls

Guildford Talent Academy: LEAD Coach (Girls)

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To lead the on-pitch coaching of the Guildford Talent Programme, and to lead the Talent Academy Squad in fixtures and training between September 1st 2025 and August 31st 2026.

Contract Term: October 2025 to 31 July 2026

Contract Status: Self Employed

Fees:

• Coaching Days £150-£215
• Coaching Evenings £85
• Travel expenses incorporated within contact fee.

Talent Academy Programme

Guildford Talent Academy is one of the 24 club-hosted Talent Academies operating nationwide for the highest potential players aged 15-18. Their responsibility is to:

• Deliver outstanding environments that nurtures top-level players for international hockey
• Offer consistent, high-quality coaching and competitive match day experiences
• Supporting individual players through player profiling, individual development plans and regular coach feedback

Lead Coach Role

Key responsibilities:

• Select the Talent Academy squad and provide feedback on selection decisions to schools and clubs, publish selection decisions on GHC website and share with County Hockey administrators and England hockey.
• Plan all training sessions and lead the coaching teams and ensure an excellent player experience throughout the process.
• Deliver pitch sessions cognisant of the Complete Player Qualities and the development of players’ Hockey IQ as outlined in the Talent System Framework.
• Plan and coordinate, working with Talent Programme Lead and Director of Hockey, the off-pitch education programme for the cycle
• Act as lead coach for all TA fixtures, co-ordinate selection, coach matches,
• Lead the coaching team for the Guildford Talent Academy team at the Talent Academy festival

Feedback & Communication

• Provide timely feedback to all players, including video feedback using match footage.
• Implement and regularly review individual feedback plans for players during the April-August period.
• Communicate effectively with players and parents about selection, planning, and the squad in general.

Other responsibilities

• Work with club and school coaches to manage player load.
• Work closely with England Hockey to ensure alignment between the Guildford Talent programme and the England Hockey talent priorities.
• Attend England Hockey Talent Academy Inductions, workshops and conferences

What we are looking for?

• Candidates must hold, as a minimum, EH (or equivalent) Coach qualification.
• We are looking for committed, enthusiastic, inspirational, and highly skilled individuals who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and have the desire and ambition to nurture and develop our talented young players.
• Our coaches must be self-starters, who can deliver exceptional development experiences in a talent development environment to our high potential young hockey players.
• Our coaches have evidence of coaching in competitive hockey environments and development of players with highly skilled actions.
• Our coaches are strong communicators, with ability to engage with empathy across a range of audiences (players, parents, coaches, Talent Lead, local clubs/schools etc) on a regular basis & disseminate information using a variety of methods.
• Our coaches understand the needs and safeguarding requirements for our young athletes and deliver a safe environment for their leaning at all times. They should have awareness of mental wellbeing in young players in the talent environment and EH anti-doping direction.

Please submit a CV (up to 2 pages) and a 1-page cover letter explaining how your experience meets the role's requirements.

Please email directorofh with your application no later than 17 October 2025.