LOI Academy Performance Support Coach

Job Title: Performance Support Coach
Location: LOI Club Nationwide
Direct Reporting Line: LOI Club Academy Director
Commencement Date: TBC
Duration: 3 Year Fixed Term, Full Time

Introduction
The League of Ireland, through the LOI Academy Government Investment Programme, is seeking to establish a panel of suitably qualified candidates to fill up to 23 full-time Performance Support Coach positions within League of Ireland clubs.

These positions form part of the continued investment in strengthening Academy structures and enhancing the development environment for young female and male players across Ireland, with a particular focus on strength and conditioning, athletic development, physical performance testing and performance data management.

Working closely with the club Academy Director, Head of Academy Coaching and wider multidisciplinary staff including FAI Performance Support staff, the postholder will help deliver individualised, evidence-informed athletic development programmes appropriate to each player's age, growth, maturation and stage of development.

The successful candidate will also act as the Academy's primary operational contact for physical performance data, ensuring the consistent collection, management and reporting of player information through the League of Ireland Intelligence Platform (LOI iP), powered by Kitman Labs, and associated performance technologies.

The role will contribute to a nationally coordinated approach to improving athletic development standards, player welfare and long-term player progression.

Key Responsibilities

Strength & Conditioning and Athletic Development

• Plan, coordinate and deliver age-appropriate strength and conditioning, movement, speed and athletic development programmes across Academy squads.
• Develop and support individualised athletic development programmes informed by physical testing, growth and maturation, training history and player needs.
• Collaborate with coaching and medical personnel on training load management and return-to-performance programmes, within the postholder's professional scope.
• Educate players on physical preparation, recovery, nutrition, hydration and positive training habits.

Physical Performance Testing and Data Management

• Coordinate and deliver the League of Ireland's standardised physical performance testing programme in accordance with national protocols.
• Undertake and record growth and maturation assessments, physical testing and ongoing player monitoring.
• Collect, validate, maintain and report performance data, including testing results, training loads, wellness and player availability.
• Act as the Academy's primary operational contact for LOI iP and associated performance technologies, including GPS, wearables and testing equipment.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of relevant player data within LOI iP, working closely with the League of Ireland and its Football Intelligence Partners.
• Produce regular reports to support individual player development, coaching decisions and Academy performance reviews.

Academy Integration and Player Development

• Work collaboratively with Academy coaching, medical, performance and player welfare personnel as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to the preparation, implementation and review of Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Support continuity of relevant physical development information as players progress through Academy age groups, senior football and national team pathways, subject to applicable data protection requirements.
• Participate in League of Ireland and FAI Performance Support professional development programmes, workshops and national performance support networks.
• Comply with all relevant safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and player welfare policies.

National Delivery Standards and Performance Expectations
As part of a nationally funded programme, all Performance Support Coaches will be expected to contribute to consistent minimum standards of athletic development and performance data management across League of Ireland Academies.

Key expectations will include:

• Athletic Development: Implementation and ongoing review of age-appropriate physical development programmes across all Academy squads.
• Individual Player Development: Contribution to individualised athletic development plans informed by testing, growth and maturation data.
• National Benchmark Testing: Completion of prescribed physical performance testing and growth and maturation assessments within agreed League timelines.
• Performance Data Compliance: Accurate, timely and consistent recording of relevant player information on LOI iP in accordance with national data standards.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Regular collection and reporting of player monitoring information, including training loads, wellness and availability.
• Professional Development: Participation in mandatory national CPD, technical training and peer-network activities.
• Specific performance indicators, reporting requirements and delivery timelines will be established by the League of Ireland and FAI Performance Support staff, in consultation with its Football Intelligence Partners and respective Academy Directors, and incorporated into the LOI Academy Mark quality assurance and evaluation framework.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold, or be on course to complete before commencing employment:

• A Level 8 Honours Bachelor's Degree (NFQ) or similar in Sport & Exercise Science, Strength & Conditioning, Athletic Development, Sports Performance, Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy or a closely related discipline.

Applicants must also demonstrate:

• Practical experience, including placements or volunteering, in strength and conditioning, athletic development or sports performance support.
• A sound understanding of youth athletic development, physical performance testing and growth and maturation.
• The ability to plan and deliver safe, engaging and age-appropriate physical development sessions.
• Experience using GPS, athlete management systems, physical testing equipment or sports science technologies.
• Competence in digital data management, including Microsoft Excel or equivalent, and the ability to learn new sports performance technologies.
• Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to professional development, safeguarding and player welfare
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate qualifications in Strength & Conditioning, Sport Science or a related discipline.
• Experience working within football Academies or other youth performance environments.
• Relevant FAI coaching qualifications.
• First Aid/Cardiac First Response certification and a full driving licence.

Professional Development and Support
This position offers an opportunity for practitioners to develop their careers within a nationally coordinated high-performance development environment.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• A full-time, three-year appointment within a League of Ireland Academy.
• Structured professional development and technical support through the League of Ireland, FAI Performance Support team and designated programme partners.
• Training in LOI iP, physical performance testing protocols and approved sports technologies.
• Access to a national peer network of Performance Support Coaches, mentoring opportunities and support towards professional accreditation.

Recruitment and Appointment

Recruitment will follow a centrally coordinated two-stage process.

Stage 1 – League of Ireland Candidate Panel: Applications will be assessed centrally, with suitably qualified candidates selected for an approved recruitment panel.
Stage 2 – Club Appointment: Participating clubs will undertake their own selection and appointment process from the approved panel. Successful candidates will be employed directly by the appointing club.

Appointments will be subject to satisfactory references, Garda Vetting and completion of relevant FAI safeguarding requirements.

Final date for receipt of applications is close of business on Friday, 20 November 2026.

Shortlisting and interviewing process will take place thereafter.