ETC Coach

About the role

We are looking for a Women’s ETC Coach to join our team and play an important role in supporting the club’s continued growth and success. Working within a fast-paced professional football environment, you will contribute to delivering high standards across the club while helping create an environment where players, staff and supporters can thrive.

As a coach within the ETC, you will play a key role in supporting and developing players to reach the highest levels of performance possible, while ensuring they operate within a safe, secure and supportive environment. You will help create and nurture a positive training culture where players can learn, enjoy their football and develop a genuine love for the game. You will deliver high-quality coaching sessions aligned with the ETC curriculum and blueprint, ensuring the age-group coaching programme meets and exceeds all club standards and FA ETC licence requirements. You will also contribute to the development of fellow coaches, providing a rewarding and supportive mentoring experience within the ETC. Above all, you will be a passionate advocate and guardian of the women's game, helping to create an environment that supports the continued growth and development of female footballers and the wider game.

Responsibilities

Coaching

• Plan, prepare, deliver and evaluate high-quality coaching sessions in line with the training syllabus developed by the ETC Player Development Lead.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, review and adaptation of the ETC coaching curriculum.
• Create a player-centred coaching environment that encourages players to ask questions, seek feedback and take ownership of their learning and development.
• Support players to understand both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind coaching decisions and training activities.
• Encourage players to contribute to footballing decisions and take an active role in their own development.
• Provide meaningful learning and development opportunities for volunteer coaches through delegated responsibility, constructive feedback and regular opportunities to contribute their views on players and sessions.
• Attend player trials and contribute to selection and recruitment decisions.
• Work collaboratively across different age groups within the ETC, providing flexibility and consistency in coaching standards and player development.

Player Development

• Work with individual players to identify appropriate development targets and establish clear plans to support their progression.
• Maintain accurate and timely player development information within the ETC monitoring system to support ongoing analysis and evaluation.
• Provide regular, constructive and individualised feedback to players to support their continued development.
• Monitor and evaluate player progress, providing regular updates and feedback to players and their parents/carers.
• Work closely with coaches, medical and performance staff to support holistic player development, including injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
• Ensure ETC games and festivals are well planned and managed, with a clear development philosophy communicated consistently to players and parents/carers.
• Provide appropriate advice, guidance and support to players on football-related and personal matters, including helping them navigate injury and other challenges that may affect their performance or wellbeing.
• Promote and maintain high standards of player behaviour in line with the expectations and values of the ETC.
• Work closely with the ETC Safeguarding Manager to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of all players and staff remains an operational priority.

This role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues across the club in a dynamic sporting environment where flexibility, teamwork and professionalism are essential.

Requirements

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience of working with young athletes or players within a development environment.
• Experience of working within a football environment, ideally within a youth or talent development setting.
• A strong understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional needs of young players and how these can influence their development and performance.
• An up-to-date understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures, with a clear commitment to promoting player welfare.
• An understanding of how children and young people learn, develop and respond to different coaching and learning approaches.
• An understanding of the principles of long-term player development and the importance of creating an environment that supports both performance and personal development.

Qualifications & Training

• Essential: FA Level 2 / UEFA C Licence or above coaching qualification.
• Essential: FA DBS clearance.
• Essential: FA Safeguarding Children qualification.
• Essential: FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF).
• Desirable: Training or qualifications relating to the physical development of young female players, including growth and maturation, female athlete physiology and the menstrual cycle.
• Desirable: Knowledge, training or qualifications in talent identification and talent development across sport.
• Desirable: Player support qualifications, such as Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support (TALS).
• Desirable: Coaching and/or mentoring qualifications.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong teamwork and communication.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail.
• A positive and professional approach.

Experience working within elite sport is beneficial but not essential for many roles – what matters most is attitude, commitment and a willingness to contribute to the success of the club.

About Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic Football Club is more than a workplace. It is a club with deep roots in Southeast London, built on community, resilience and ambition. Founded in 1905, Charlton has a proud history that includes an FA Cup triumph in 1947 and generations of supporters who see the club as part of their identity. From our historic home at The Valley to our high-performance training ground at Sparrows Lane, every role at Charlton contributes to something bigger than a job – helping deliver elite performance on the pitch and unforgettable experiences for supporters. We are proud to be a family club with ambition, where passionate and committed people can build meaningful careers in football.

“Working at Charlton means you’re part of something bigger than yourself. On a matchday you feel the energy of the supporters and know the work you do matters.” – Simon Lenagan, Group Sporting Director

Pay

£13 per hour (dependent on experience).

Schedule

Casual / matchdays inclusive. This role may require evening and weekend working.

Location: Sparrows Lane Training Ground.