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Job title:
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Senior Academy Goalkeeping Coach
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Department:
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Academy Coaching
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Based at:
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Blackburn Rovers Academy, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BA.
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Reports to:
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Head of Academy Coach Development
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Responsible for:
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Academy Goalkeeping Coaches
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Hours of work:
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37.5 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This will include regular evening and weekend work.
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Contractual status:
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Permanent
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Job purpose:
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To lead the holistic development of all Academy goalkeepers, ensuring their progression aligns with the Blackburn Rovers Academy Vision of developing “top‑tier players and people” by Skill & Hard Work.
The role drives a goalkeeper pathway consistent with the Academy Performance Plan’s 5 Pillars — IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, BUILD, ENABLE, PROTECT — ensuring GK development contributes directly to the Club’s long‑term goal of becoming a sustainable Premier League club with a leading academy.
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2. Duties and responsibilities:
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Safeguarding & Welfare
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, embedding the Academy’s commitment to psychological safety, trust and inclusion across all interactions with players and families.
- Integrate weekly welfare check‑ins and ensure all concerns are reported appropriately through MyConcern in line with the Academy’s Safeguarding Strategy
- To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all elite players, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
Programme Design & Implementation (Aligned to the APP Pillars)
Identify
- Contribute to the identification of high‑potential goalkeepers by aligning goalkeeper profiles with Academy Player Profiles and the club’s technical/physical benchmarks.
- Collaborate with Recruitment and Performance Analysis to integrate video/data insights into GK ID and development planning.
Develop
- Implement, review and continuously enhance the Academy Goalkeeping Programme to align with the coaching philosophy, EPPP expectations, and the Academy Coaching Competency Framework.
- Co‑create and manage Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and Development Action Plans (DAPs) for all goalkeepers, ensuring they are age‑appropriate, aligned with the APP, and reviewed regularly.
- Lead CPD for GK staff, embedding reflective practice, evidence‑based coaching and consistent session delivery standards.
Build
- Work collaboratively with Sports Science & Medicine to integrate physical development principles (e.g., maturation monitoring, injury‑prevention strategies, load management) into GK training plans.
- Use performance monitoring tools (GPS, wellness data, video analysis) to inform planning for individual GKs.
Enable
- Foster a high‑challenge, high‑support environment that aligns with the Academy’s education and player‑care frameworks, encouraging resilience, independence, and continuous learning in goalkeepers.
- Support delivery of life‑skills, academic and personal‑development programmes by embedding these principles into goalkeeper culture and expectations.
Protect
- Ensure all GK activities are conducted with risk management and safety at the forefront, following safeguarding and safe‑activity procedures embedded within the APP.
Coaching Delivery & Operational Expectations
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate high‑quality GK coaching sessions that reflect the Academy Coaching Programme and support the overall curriculum aims.
- Organise match‑day goalkeeping operations across all phases.
- Ensure all coaching content, session uploads, feedback, video clips and performance reviews are completed accurately and on time using relevant digital systems.
Communication & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Lead weekly goalkeeper MDT discussions aligned with the AMT/SMT reporting structure to ensure transparent communication on player progress, well‑being, and programme delivery.
- Collaborate with outfield coaches to integrate GK development needs into team‑training environments and match preparation.
- Liaise with the First Team Goalkeeping Department to align pathway expectations and ensure continuity of coaching principles.
Leadership & Management
- Line-manage all Academy GK coaching staff, ensuring they follow APP‑aligned coaching and safeguarding standards.
- Conduct appraisals, performance reviews, support DAP creation and ensure all staff engage with CPD and competency frameworks.
- Drive innovation across the GK programme by integrating new methodologies, technologies and evidence-based practices.
Additional Duties
- Attend all relevant meetings across the Academy programme.
- Undertake personal development opportunities including club visits, CPD events and internal workshops.
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Head of Academy Coach Development, Head of Academy or Head of First Team Goalkeeping.
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3. Skills required:
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- Strong leadership and management capability, aligned with the Academy’s expectations for staff development and competency frameworks.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary model, contributing to shared departmental goals.
- Analytical skills and competency in using performance data, video tools and digital systems.
- Capacity for independent work, problem solving, innovation and meeting tight deadlines.
- High levels of professionalism, confidentiality and reflective practice.
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4. Knowledge required:
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- Strong understanding of Academy legislation, safeguarding procedures and EPPP frameworks.
- Knowledge of the Academy Vision, the 5 APP Pillars and how they shape daily coaching and long-term development strategies.
- Deep understanding of GK development across Foundation, YDP and PDP phases.
- Familiarity with physical development, S&C and medical principles relevant to modern goalkeeping.
- Knowledge of the multidisciplinary model and collaborative practices expected within the Academy structure.
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