England Women’s Pathway U20 Lead Physiotherapist

The Role:

The women’s game in England continues to move from strength to strength and is entering another exciting chapter as the Red Roses prepare for a home Rugby World Cup in 2025, and the pathway aims to inspire and equip players to reach their potential. The U20 programme works closely with various stakeholders to develop the most exciting talent coming through the England Rugby pathway. The programme consists of a number of camps across the season and includes a competitive fixture schedule including friendly matches (home & away) & the 6N Summer Series.

To support the U20 programme we are looking for a Lead Physiotherapist to join our U20 Women’s team to provide physiotherapy support to England U20 female athletes both in and out of camp and to support player development as part of the wider U20 multidisciplinary team. The successful applicant will work closely with the selected players and collaborate with their domestic clubs to ensure that the player receives high quality and consistent medical care. They will also receive support and professional development as part of the RFU Professional Rugby Department Medical Team.

The Team:

The Women’s U20 management team is made up of a full-time head coach, lead strength & conditioning coach and pathways analyst. These roles are supported by an assistant coach, lead doctor and pathway nutritionist. The team work closely with the wider women’s pathway including the U18 programme and U18 Player Development Groups (PDGs) to ensure players receive an aligned experience linked to a central development curriculum. The U20 team have an important relationship with the Red Roses management team to support players transitioning into their next step of their rugby journey and aspiring to play for the senior team.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Personally provide immediate medical care at all England Women’s U20 training sessions and competitions as required.
• Personally provide high standard physiotherapy care, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation as appropriate for all squad members at all England Women’s U20 training sessions and competitions.
• Ensure appropriate medical cover for England women’s positional days where applicable during the season.
• Provide cross cover for Women’s U18s players if required for camps and matches, where other commitments allow, to make up for any shortfall in activity.
• Work with the Women’s U20 Strength and Conditioning Coaches to establish the fitness status of squad members prior to designated squad training sessions or competitions.
• Establish and develop strong working relationships with club medical staff to support the provision of high-quality medical care for England U20 players Including regular club visits.
• Establish the fitness status of squad members prior to relevant designated squad training sessions or competitions.
• Support the Head Coach and Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach in medical aspects of player development.
• Order and ensure the availability of physiotherapy equipment and supplies needed for optimal treatment of the squad.
• Ensure the safe and appropriate storage and disposal of all physiotherapy stock and supplies.
• Maintain comprehensive medical records of all player assessments and treatments using Kitman Labs Intelligence Platform: Performance Medicine (iP:PM) in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Guidelines and the RFU Best practice medical record keeping guidance for Medical Practitioners and Therapists.
• Provide clear communication to the U20s Head Coach on all fitness matters for squad players.
• Assist in the implementation of best practice nutrition, hydration, and recovery protocols.
• Support the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach on the development and delivery of injury prevention programmes.
• Support the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach to ensure best practice is followed in warm up/recovery sessions.
• Assist the team doctor in the planning of tournaments and training camps.
• Collaborate and share working practices with other PRD medical teams to ensure alignment of working practice where appropriate.
• Attend three face-to-face PRD internal Medical CPD days and monthly Teams-based CPD when other commitments allow.
• Be an active member and support other medical professionals within the medical services clinical team.
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values – This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy.
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Membership.
• Current Level 3 Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport accreditation (or equivalent).
• Proof of continued medical education specific to Sport and Exercise Medicine.
• A range of diverse advanced clinical skills.
• Experience in the professional development of more junior medical staff.
• Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide your day-to-day decisions, actions and interactions.
• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy or Sports Medicine, or higher qualification in sports physiotherapy or sports science.
• Demonstrable experience of providing physiotherapy support within an elite rugby environment over the last 3 years.
• Experience of self-directed work and working as part of a travelling sports team.
• An understanding of and experience of applying appropriate medical ethics in an elite sports medicine environment.
• Experience working with elite female athletes.
• Experience working with adolescent athletes.

Additional Information:

• Personal circumstances must allow the candidate to work extended hours on occasion during times of peak activity including evenings and weekends.
• We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to [email protected].
• During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.
• If you are a trans candidate applying for a job that requires a DBS check, please reach out to [email protected] or directly to our safeguarding team ([email protected]) to use the confidential sensitive application route. This will provide applicants with the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate.
• This role will require a DBS check.

How to Apply

Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.