England Women U19 Performance Lead (0.9 FTE)

PURPOSE

An exciting opportunity to become England Women U19 Performance Lead awaits.  The role will include setting purpose and objectives for all EW U19 activity, managing the player identification and confirmation processes and, as Head Coach, taking a lead position on designing and implementing the overall learning environment across all EW U19 activity.

The England Women U19 environment looks to provide opportunities in an inspirational development environment with competitive exposure at an international level for players deemed with the highest potential to play for England Women in the future, as well as players highlighting key potential to further their career within the domestic game.

This role is to ensure that all aspects of the EW U19 programme are delivered to the highest standards, focussing on developing world leading talent development environments for individuals and selected squads to learn and compete within.   

The role will lead on all aspects of Talent Identification and Confirmation processes and, in conjunction with the EW Head of Performance Pathways and the Women’s National Talent Manager, will ensure robust, world class selection is delivered for all players that participate in EW U19 activity. 

The role will take the position of Head Coach within all learning environments created as part of the EW U19 programme of activity, with the opportunity to shape how Assistant Coach roles fit the programme, as well as supporting the recruitment of other MDT positions within EW U19 programmes, if external staff are required. 

We are seeking an individual with a proven track record in developing high potential cricketers with an in-depth knowledge of women’s cricket at domestic and international level. The successful candidate will have shown their ability to positively impact those around them and have led on creating an inspirational environment for players and staff.  The individual must also be able to evidence experience of providing strong leadership of player identification structures and systems, as this will be a significant part of the role.

The role is a 0.9 FTE position, which will see various times of the year move from being a higher demand on time to a lower demand on time, as EW U19 activity is prioritised.  It is likely the successful candidate will spend time coaching and supporting within other EWCP environments, including EW, EW A and skill-set development opportunities, to ensure connection and alignment across the international environments is prevalent.

The role will be a hybrid one, allowing the successful candidate the opportunity to work out of the National Cricket Performance Centre, Loughborough as well as from home and across the national network.  The role will involve work during unsociable hours, weekends and school holidays and will require an extended period away from home whilst on tours, both home and overseas.

WHO WE ARE

The England and Wales Cricket Board is the national governing body for all cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level – from grassroots to professional.

We believe cricket is a force for good that can have an enduring impact on everyone’s lives and we have an ambitious strategy to inspire a generation to say ‘cricket is a game for me’. It provides great entertainment. It teaches important skills, both physical and social.  It can help inclusion and social cohesion, bringing communities together.

The ECB welcomes applications from all backgrounds to ensure we deliver our Inspiring Generations strategy and fulfil our purpose to connect communities and improve lives through cricket.

OUR VALUES

• Stronger As One Team – We are stronger together. We allow for individual strengths and beliefs but head in the same direction. We respect, support and really listen to each other along the way.

• Push New Boundaries – We are bold, brave and curious. We challenge and don’t settle. We forge the future whilst remembering our roots.

• Be The Best In The Game – On & Off The Pitch – We train hard. We strive to be our best to help the team be the best. We celebrate our victories and learn from our let downs.

• Passion For Play – We are here to inspire & be inspired. We are serious about what we do, but don’t take ourselves seriously. We enjoy the journey and have fun.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF

• You have led on creating inspirational environments for players and staff

• You enjoy identifying and developing high potential cricketers

• You have an in-depth knowledge of women’s cricket at domestic and international level

YOU’LL BE DOING

• Set EW U19 purpose and objectives for all EW U19 activity, in conjunction with other key EWCP staff, with connection and understanding of future needs across the EWCP and at EW level

• Design and lead, as Head Coach, the delivery of an outstanding training and competition programme for players perceived to have the highest potential to be England Women cricketers of the future that adds real value to a player’s journey towards being a successful International cricketer;

• Provide appropriate leadership and management of all other coaching and MDT roles and individuals across EW U19 activity

• Lead on EW U19 talent identification and confirmation processes, with a need to shape this to appropriately cover future Tier 1 Academy and Tier 1 / Tier 2 senior activity.  This will involve helping shape and manage part of the EWCP Scout programme to ensure robust selection of a player group to represent England Women U19 is delivered

• Lead on bi-annual National School Games player, team and staff selection and across all other centralised Talent ID initiatives, both existing and future options (e.g. NvN/SvS Regional Academy fixtures)

• Lead and deliver robust review processes on all activity, from both a player and operational perspective, to ensure continual improvement of EWCP activity and liaise with County personnel on all aspects of player feedback

• Integrate with the EW Head of Performance Pathways and Women’s National Talent Manager across all aspects of the above key responsibilities, especially in shaping centralised ECB talent identification opportunities

• Consult and engage with Tier 1 and Tier 2 Head coaches, Senior Regional Talent Managers/Academy Lead Coaches and Tier 1/Tier 2 skill-set coaches around player development for identified individuals to ensure the most talented young players are supported both in-programme and at their Counties

• Provide coaching support and direction to identified players, both directly and in partnership with Tier 1 and Tier 2 county programmes, which may continue post EW U19 activity for specific identified players

• Appropriately share best practice with County coaches and support staff to ensure that player development is appropriately designed for the international game

• Collaborate and contribute to short and medium-term Player Development Plans for identified players in conjunction with their County teams

• Work with all England Women Pathway staff to ensure effective programming, integrated Science & Medicine support and operational support for all EW U19 activity

• Integrate with EW Head Coach, Assistant Coaches and EW Performance Coaches across all disciplines, to ensure appropriate alignment of the England Women environment exists within the EW U19 environment

• Provide coaching support, as required, to other elements of the EWCP, including EW A activity and skill-set development initiatives, at the discretion of the Head of Performance Pathways

• Work with the Women’s National Talent Manager and EW Head of Performance Pathways to ensure the new County Talent Pathway supports the development of players with the foundations for Tier 1 professional and International cricket

• Ensure players develop personal excellence through relevant, individualised and outstanding learning and development experiences that align to the ECB Talent Development Framework “Unleashing Potential” 

YOU’LL HAVE

• Experience of leading on programme design (both individual and team), implementation, management and evaluation for high potential female athletes

• Demonstrable experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams in high performance sport

• Demonstrable experience of leading player identification processes

• Qualified to at least ECB Advanced Coach (Level 3) or international equivalent

• Have a passion for leading players and staff to develop an environment that drives learning and performance through an inspirational and sustainable person-focused culture

• Excellent knowledge of women’s cricket at both County, Regional and International levels

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of talent development within the adolescent setting

• Outstanding leadership, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with exceptional standards of professionalism and integrity

• A high degree of personal resilience to cope with the demands of coaching and communicating at this level and to be relied on by the organisation, players and staff to handle pressure in critical moments

• Excellent time management and organizational skills

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Safeguarding Children certification – a DBS disclosure is an impartial and confidential document that details an individual’s criminal record and where appropriate gives details of those who are barred from working with children

• Understand and support the importance of safeguarding and be able to demonstrate awareness of how to apply best practice principles in a performance pathway environment

• High levels of energy and enthusiasm

• Honesty, tact and strong will to succeed

• Excellent IT skills with competent ability using Microsoft Office programmes

• Full UK Driving Licence and ability to travel independently to various venues across the country

• First Aid Certificate

YOU’LL RECEIVE

• Competitive salary

• Holiday - 25 days a year

• Volunteering – 2 days a year

• Pension - Non-contributory pension

• Private medical insurance

• Employee health cash-back plan

• Long-term sickness insurance

• Life assurance - four times your annual basic salary

• Enhanced family leave and pay

• OpenBlend - an innovative coaching and performance management tool

• People Academy - a range of programmes and initiatives to help you develop and reach your potential

• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential access to expert services including counselling, wellbeing, and independent legal and financial advice

• 30% Castore discount

• Cycle 2 Work Scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Preferential access to tickets to England and The Hundred games

• Opportunities to be a part of and be involved in our Employee Resource groups: Women in Cricket Employee Network, Race in Cricket Employee Network, Social Mobility in Cricket Employee Network, Disability Employee Network and LGBTQ+ Community in Cricket Employee Network

Please note, the interviews will take place on Tuesday 27th August.

We would ideally require for someone to join the team on 1st October 2024