Academy Physical Performance Coach

• City of Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Closing Date For Applications: 13h March 2026

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Role Overview: This post is expected to optimise the availability and athletic development of Academy players through the provision, monitoring and passionate delivery of an evidence based physical development programme, in line with the Nottingham Forest Football Club Academy performance syllabus. As part of an MDT, work directly with the professional development phase (PDP) regarding all aspects of Sports Science and Performance on a day-to-day basis, to exceed the requirements of a Category 1 Academy as determined by EPPP.

This role is primarily working with the U16, U18 & B Team age groups, leading off-field athletic development support and assisting when required in the on-field performance programme. It may also require the physical preparation of senior professional players and players across the U9-U15s.

• Provide professional and world leading physical performance support for all registered Academy players including individual programmes and long‑term athletic development plans.
• In association with the wider Performance department, organise the weekly gym plans and long‑term strength programmes for academy age group players with a primary responsibility for the U16, U18 & B Team squads.
• Lead on design, delivery and monitoring of gym related programming for the PDP players.
• Manage all gym, rehab and pre‑activation areas in co‑operation with other Performance team members.
• Work closely across the Academy Performance department in aligning the physical development of the academy players in the strength and conditioning programme.
• Ensure Sport Science & S&C provision including session plans, gym sessions and testing are uploaded into the appropriate AMS within 24 hours.
• Ensure testing and monitoring practices are consistently implemented and evaluated to inform practice.
• Assist in Talent Identification protocols and contribute to the trialling procedures and testing for potential academy players.
• Educate staff to ensure the maintenance of age specific best practice including the provision of in‑service training and appropriate CPD.
• Collaborate across the Academy Performance department, aligning programming with synonymous athletic development methodologies.
• Assist where appropriate other members of the performance and medical departments across all NFFC squads and teams, including rehabilitation support.
• Work with the wider medical team to provide an integrated approach to performance enhancement regarding injury rehabilitation and return to training/play criteria.
• In conjunction with the medical department, develop age‑related prehab and appropriate rehab to minimise injury risk and maximise player availability.
• Use appropriate databases to monitor and manage player loading, working closely with the multi‑disciplinary team to individualise player plans.
• To support with the management of the work placement students.
• To contribute to player reviews and audits in order to assess performance and potential.
• To support with evidence‑based departmental projects.
• Any other appropriate duties as required by the Academy management team.

• Previous experience working within the support staff of a professional football club.
• Worked as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Delivered applied sports science support to elite individual or team sport athletes.
• Ability to accurately measure and monitor essential physical components with elite youth athletes using a range of applied technologies.
• Provide accurate and informative written and verbal reports to a range of key stakeholders.
• Managing and developing databases to inform the above.
• Coach youth athletes across a range of fundamental movements.
• Excellent problem solving…