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Head of academy athletic development
Newcastle Red Bulls
Newcastle Red Bulls, formerly known as Newcastle Falcons, is a rugby union team that play in Premiership Rugby, England's highest division of rugby union. The club was established in 1877 as the Gosforth Football Club.
Job Posted- 16 Jul 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- England
Closing date- 27 Jul 2026
We are Newcastle Red Bulls, the only Premiership rugby team in the true North of England. Our vision is to be one of the leading rugby organisations in the UK and Europe. Backed by Red Bull, we are writing a new chapter for professional sport in the region and are looking for outstanding people who share our ambition, discipline and energy.
The Newcastle Red Bulls Academy
The Newcastle Red Bulls Academy exists to identify, develop and support the next generation of Premiership and international rugby players.
Based at Kingston Park and across our regional pathway, the Academy provides a high-performance environment for talented young athletes, combining world-class coaching, physical development and performance support.The Academy is central to the long-term success of Newcastle Red Bulls.
Our aim is to create a clear, aligned pathway into the senior squad, underpinned by strong values, evidence-based coaching and best-in-class performance support services, with athletic development playing a vital role in preparing players for the physical demands of elite rugby.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Head of Academy Athletic Development will play a central role in Newcastle Red Bulls’ player development programme.
You will work closely with talented Academy players and coaches whilst leading the athletic development staff to drive performance through cutting-edge athletic development practice.
This role leads the athletic development provision across the Academy, ensuring players are physically prepared to progress through the pathway and transition successfully into senior rugby.
You will work closely with the senior performance programme to maximise the day-to-day integration of Academy players within senior training, while creating alignment across all phases of the Academy system.
This is an opportunity to play a key role in the development of future Newcastle Red Bulls players.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead the Academy athletic development plan in conjunction with the Head of Performance and 1st Team Head of Athletic Development.
• Lead the planning and delivery of athletic development for the confirmation phase (18+) and support players transitioning into the senior squad.
• Manage the development phase (17–18 years old) and foundation phase (15–16 years old) leads, supporting their development and the effective delivery of their programmes.
• Lead the matchday athletic development provision for the ‘A’ Team and oversee the athletic development plan for Darlington Mowden Park.
• Work closely with the senior performance programme to maximise the day-to-day integration of Academy players within senior training.
• Liaise with and support athletic development provision at universities and national league clubs, providing education and resources to upskill coaches and strengthen the wider player development pathway.
• Establish and lead an athletic development “coaching tribe” to encourage the sharing of ideas, insight and current best practice.
• Represent the Academy athletic development department on the Academy Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensure alignment of athletic development principles, standards and delivery across all Academy phases and into the 1st Team environment.
• Oversee the profiling, benchmarking and monitoring of Academy players using appropriate software and performance technologies.
• Integrate and interpret data from athletic development systems and equipment, using insight to inform player programmes, decision-making and progression.
• Contribute to the creation of an evidence-based, high-performance environment that supports long-term player development and prepares athletes for the physical demands of elite rugby.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
• Quality and consistency of athletic development provision across all Academy phases.
• Measurable impact on player physical development, progression and readiness for transition into senior rugby.
• Effectiveness of athletic development planning and delivery for the confirmation phase and ‘A’ Team environment.
• Quality of alignment between Academy and 1st Team performance programmes.
• Feedback from coaches, players and multi-disciplinary staff on the value and effectiveness of athletic development support.
• Effectiveness of leadership, support and development of athletic development staff across the Academy.
• Evidence of innovation and best practice in the use of athletic development methods, technology and education.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Proven experience in the delivery of athletic development within an Academy environment.
• Previous experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of leading a team and managing people.
• Good levels of rugby union knowledge and understanding; previous playing or refereeing experience is advantageous.
• Experience of using software and equipment for profiling and benchmarking in athletic development, including but not limited to VALD force frames/plates, Catapult (including live operations & accurate data processing), velocity-based training systems such as GymAware, and Athlete management systems such as Kitman Labs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and confident working with athlete performance data.
• BSc in Sport and Exercise Science or an appropriate undergraduate degree.
• UKSCA accreditation.
• Experience of working to deadlines in a demanding, fast-moving environment.
• A full, valid UK driving licence.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
• Communication: Able to convey key messages clearly and effectively to players, coaches and staff, adapting style to different audiences. You encourage open dialogue, ensure others feel heard and use communication to drive positive performance change.
• Planning and Organising: You manage time, resources and tasks effectively, setting clear objectives, prioritising workload and structuring plans to ensure efficient and timely delivery, particularly around training, competition and player development demands.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: You have a curious and analytical mindset, capable of interpreting complex information and multiple perspectives to develop objective, evidence-based and innovative solutions.
• Leadership and Self-Development: You will lead athletic development across the Academy, managing staff across the development and foundation phases while setting clear standards and expectations. You take ownership of your own development, staying up to date with current research, methods and technologies to continually enhance the service you provide.
• Relationship Building: You build strong, trusting relationships with players, coaches and support staff, contributing positively to a high-performance culture.
• Attention to Detail: High standards of accuracy and consistency in programme design, monitoring, data management and reporting.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
• Experience within a professional rugby environment (club, union or high-level academy).
• Previous experience supporting player transition into a senior professional environment.
• Experience designing and delivering education for coaches and practitioners.
• Knowledge of athlete development pathways and long-term player development models.
SAFEGUARDING
Newcastle Red Bulls take safeguarding very seriously and are committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk are safeguarded at all times when engaging in club activities or services. The club has safeguarding policies and best practice guidelines to support this and expects all employees to adopt such policies and practices at all times.
The club adheres to strict guidelines, policies and procedures when recruiting staff who work with children and/or adults at risk and is committed to ensuring staff receive appropriate safeguarding training suitable to their role(s). Successful applicants are expected to share the club’s approach to safeguarding at all times.This post may require an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and will be subject to any applicable RFU / Premiership Rugby safer recruitment requirements.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Newcastle Red Bulls are an equal opportunities employer and all applicants for employment will be given equal opportunities irrespective of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin.The post holder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with the club’s Equal Opportunities Policy, with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety Legislation.
These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities within Newcastle Red Bulls, commensurate with the post without changing the character of the post.Employment is subject to satisfactory professional references and the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
How to Apply
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