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Casual Women and Girls' Pathway Athletic Development Coach

Irish Rugby
16 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Description & Person Specification

 

Casual Women & Girls’ Pathway Athletic Development Coach

 

Affidea Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue, Belfast, BT6 0FT

 

Role Purpose:                    The post holder(s) will work under the direction of the Women and Girls’ Lead Athletic Development Coach, to provide athletic development support to females within the W&G pathway programme from U16 – senior women squads, across both the in-season and summer.

 

Location:                               Dependent on need, will be required to travel to various venues across the province

 

Operational Manager:            Women and Girls’ Lead Athletic Development Coach

 

Functional Manager:               Women & Girls’ Development Manager

                                               Ulster Women's Provincial Pathway Manager

 

Key Relationships:                Pathway players

Women and Girls’ Talent Pathway Lead

Women and Girls’ Lead Physiotherapist

Women & Girls’ Pathway Support Staff

                                              Women and Girls’ Rugby Development Officers

 

Contract Type:                       Casual zero hours contract

 

Hours of Work:                       As required, will include evening and weekend work

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

  • To effectively deliver all aspects of athletic development support to players within the Ulster Women and Girls’ Pathway programme.
  • Plan and deliver athletic development sessions to pathway players throughout the summer and in-season programmes, in line with the W&G athletic development framework.
  • Implementation of Ulster Rugby Women and Girls’ assessment & monitoring protocols, providing analysis of information to players & coaches.
  • Provide athletic development support to teams at matches, festivals and competitions, including game preparation and recovery.
  • Contribution and commitment to personal and professional development opportunities and willingness to complete training courses and workshops.
  • Develop excellent working relationships with Women and Girls’ Lead Athletic Development Coach, Talent Pathway Lead, Pathway Support Staff, and Coaches

 

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties to meet the needs of the organisation. 

 

 

Essential Criteria:

 

Applicants must, at the closing date for applications, be able to display and provide evidence of the following qualifications/training, experience, specialist knowledge, skills/abilities and behaviours outlined below in this person specification.

 

Qualifications & Training
  • A qualification at degree level (or equivalent) in the area of Sport and Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning or Human Movement or related discipline

Knowledge
  • An understanding of the needs of athletes and coaches in a high-performance environment.
  • Understanding the role of athletic development and within a high-performance environment
  • An understanding of long-term athlete development

Experience
  • A minimum of 1 year of practical experience of the provision of athletic development to athletes to improve performance. This can include part time/voluntary work.
  • Experience in delivery of speed, strength, power & conditioning programmes to athletes
  • Experience in the assessment & monitoring of players to influence the development of the athletic development programme

Skills & Abilities
  • Established coaching and programming skills around the development of strength, power, conditioning, linear and multidirectional speed.
  • Ability to manage and engage a group of young players and effectively deliver a dynamic program.
  • Ability to work and collaborate effectively with colleagues within Ulster Rugby
  • Excellent ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and share responsibility for player development and programme management
  • Ability to implement innovate ideas and to influence athlete and coach support programmes
  • Ability to work under pressure & prioritise own workload
  • Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills

Behaviours
  • Open minded with a view to adopting new practices
  • Highly motivated and energetic with a passion for high-performance sport and coaching
  • Adaptable and flexible in working arrangements to support the needs of the organisation

Circumstances
  • Available to work irregular and unsocial hours as required involving work outside normal office hours, at evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays
  • Eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom

 

Desirable Criteria:

 

Experience
  • Experience in coaching youth athletes. 
  • Experience in coaching female athletes.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Initial shortlisting will take place against the criteria outlined in Qualifications, Experience & Circumstances. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate clearly on the application form, in the appropriate place, how they meet the criteria as advertised for this post.

 

High attention to detail, particularly in written communications will be assessed on the basis of the application form and application forms containing numerous errors will be disregarded.

 

Skills & Abilities and Behaviours will be assessed at interview and/or via practical assessment. 

 

We reserve the right to enhance the essential criteria to facilitate shortlisting.

 

Ulster Rugby are currently inviting applications for Casual Women & Girls’ Pathway Athletic Development Coaches to be added to the Casual AD Coach register. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from applicants based in the Belfast, Cookstown and Enniskillen areas to support the Women & Girls’ Pathway Programme.

 

The precise hours of work will be dependent on coaching requirements and individual’s availability. To apply, please upload a copy of your CV and complete the short online application form. The closing date for completed application forms is no later than 10:00am on Wednesday 30th September 2026.

 

Applicants are strongly advised to read the guidance notes at the start of the application form prior to completion. CVs or emails expressing an interest in the position without completing the online application form will be disregarded.

Ulster Rugby is an equal opportunities employer and as such welcomes applications from all persons regardless of race, creed, gender, disability, family status or sexual orientation.

 

If your role involves working with children and young people you may be subject to vetting through Access NI/Garda Vetting Bureau. Please note that we are committed to equal opportunities for all and will not preclude applicants with criminal convictions.

 

For more information please refer to the IRFU Vetting Policy https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/safeguarding/recruitment/