PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION

PLACEMENT TITLE: Academy Assistant Sport Scientist Bursary (studying towards MSc Strength &
Conditioning)
DEPARTMENT: Medical and Exercise Science
REPORTS TO: Head of Sport Science / Head of High Performance/ Academy Manager- Football
LOCATION: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground, additional travel may be required
HOURS: 24 hours per week from September – September (2023 - 2024)
DATE: May 2023

We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for
success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing professional football clubs in the UK, and also boasts
one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founder member of the Football League, and was one of the country’s
most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two decade spell the Black Country’s most
decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.

Fast forward to 2022, three seasons at Molineux saw Wolves clinch the Sky Bet Championship trophy
with 99 points, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which included memorable
wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal. The next season saw the
team complete a memorable double over the reigning champions, equal the previous season’s
seventh place finish and reach the quarter finals of the Europa League all as part of the ‘longest season’
in league history, either starting before or finishing after all other teams.

But this post is about not what we have done, but what we will achieve next.

We take seriously our commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and to
ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

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Placement description

To aid in the delivering and monitoring (GPS/Heart rate) of on-field physical conditioning and gym-
based Strength and Conditioning support services to youth players at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Football Club. This placement is to support university study towards a postgraduate qualification in
Strength and Conditioning working in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton.
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Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the Delivery of Strength and Conditioning related sessions to a range of different abilities

and age groups

• Plan and coach warm up sessions that include a speed, agility or plyometric elements to

foundation and youth football players

• Provide match day support that includes warm up and cool downs

• Assist in the formulation and delivery of injury prevention programmes

• Provide regular oral and written reports at appropriate meetings associated with the Strength and

Conditioning support (athlete programme design, athlete attendance and adherence, test and
monitoring reports, programme overview, review and updates).

• Initiate and contribute to special projects that are part of the wider development of the medical

and exercise science department at the football club

• Conduct research to compliment the work being completed as part of the placement and in

support of study towards postgraduate qualification.

General responsibilities

• Compliance with Club policies

• Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures

• Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies

• To promote the Club’s values

• To work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club

• To maintain professional conduct at all times
  

Safeguarding

• This role carries a specific safeguarding responsibility. This means that the post-holder is

required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding
vulnerable people.

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Key relationships

• Head of Sports Science, Academy Manager- Football and the Head of High Performance

• To work closely alongside all other Academy staff in support of each players development, as a

member of Sports Science Team.

• To ensure positive relationships with players.

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Scope of placement

• This placement will involve approximately 24 hours per week and may include duties outside

normal office hours including evenings, weekends and on public holidays.

• This placement description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as

an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing
needs of Wolves.

Person Specification

Academy Assistant Sport Scientist Bursary (studying towards MSc Strength & Conditioning)

Knowledge: the level and breadth of knowledge to do the placement e.g. understanding of a defined
system, method or procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc

Essential

• Excellent anatomical knowledge and an ability to apply this specifically when communicating with

coaches and physiotherapists.

• Ability to modify coaching style when delivering practical sessions to different populations.

• Good practical knowledge of nutrition support appropriate to the needs of high-performance

athletes in training and competition.

• The ability to apply complex data and terminology to simple terms appropriate to different age

groups and audiences.

• Knowledge of monitoring performance using various physiological methods.

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant equipment and technology, including its

operation and maintenance.

• A comprehensive understanding of the principles of periodisation in an elite environment.
  

General skills and attributes: more general characteristics e.g. flexibility, communication skills, team working
etc

Essential

• A personality that brings a positive impact to our elite environment.

• Ability to work using own initiative.

• Be proactive networking with other Strength and Conditioning coaches and fellow sports science

practitioners sharing information and ideas of how to improve practice.

• Calm under pressure and able to adapt to changing situations.

• Show ability to negotiate effectively through competing and conflicting priorities, agendas and aims

during the various stages of the season.

• Ability to communicate complex data in terms that are easily understood by a wide range of

audiences.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills that can motivate behavioural change to have a

positive impact on performance.

• The ability to establish professional relationships across the various disciplines within the medical

and exercise science department at the football club.

• Be able to demonstrate that they are an evidence-based practitioner.

• An understanding of individual responsibility in complying with Health and Safety policies.

• Personal commitment to continued professional development

• Operate within the rules of professional confidentiality to liaise with athletes, medical staff, sports

sciences staff, coaches and other support staff as appropriate.

• Understanding of how to work safely with children and/or adults at risk and uphold generally

accepted practice when working with those participants.

• Promote, adhere to and implement the Club’s Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed

equality and diversity within Club.

Desirable

• An understanding of clinical and professional issues related to working with athletes under 16 years.
  

Experience: proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism.

Essential

• Experience delivering warm-up, cool-down, flexibility, core strength and stability, speed, agility,

quickness training and coaching Olympic weightlifting to a high professional standard.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a sporting environment supporting athletes in a Strength and Conditioning

Capacity.

• Experience of how to modify and develop conditioning programmes according to the results of

specific needs analysis.

• Experience of actively engaging with players and technical coaches to create a culture which

enhances attitudes towards Strength and Conditioning practices.

• Experience of analysing the Strength and Conditioning needs of youth football players using a range

of screening tools.

• Experience of conducting laboratory and field testing and relaying information in an appropriate

way for coaches and athletes to understand.

• Working with children and/or adults at risk.
  

Qualifications: the level of educational, professional and/or occupational training required

Essential

• An undergraduate degree in sport science specialising in the area of physical preparation of elite

athletes.

• Acceptance on to the MSc Strength & Conditioning course at the University of Wolverhampton.

• Post-holder must hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity the relevant safeguarding training (i.e.

FA Safeguarding Children Workshop).

• Post-holder will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves

Safeguarding Manager.

Desirable

• UKSCA or NSCA CSCS Accreditation or ability to obtain with 6 months of being in post.

• FA Fitness Trainers Award.

• A current first aid or basic support qualifications from a recognised organisation.
  

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this placement, you must apply for the PhD Studentship course with the University of

Wolverhampton. Please follow the link here to find out more and apply: University of Wolverhampton - PhD

Sports and Exercise

The PhD Sport and Exercise course aims to develop you as a researcher and reflective, evidence-based

practitioner within your specialist area of sport, exercise or coaching science. There is an emphasis on

student-led research and modules focused on the application of research, alongside this you will gain

experience in working within a professional sport environment at Wolves alongside studies.