The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
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Loughborough University National Tennis Academy (LUNTA) is looking for an experienced, enthusiastic, and dynamic Strength and Conditioning Lead to support the performance of developing elite junior tennis players as part of the LTA's Player Pathway. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and delivering Strength and Conditioning strategy to LUNTA players, working as part of the Academy's interdisciplinary team (IDT) to optimise the physical preparedness of Academy players.
LUNTA is a transformational environment for elite junior international tennis players, targeted at developing a greater number of British professional players inside the senior top 100 in both the Men's and Women's game. The individualised, pro-style, interdisciplinary training environment tailored specifically to prepare players for the demands of professional tennis supports players between the ages of 14-18 years old (as young as 11 in exceptional circumstances). From August 2024, LUNTA will become Great Britain's only National Tennis Academy for elite junior British tennis players, supporting up to 24 players in pursuit of tennis and academic excellence.
Our philosophy is centred around providing accelerated progress and where whole chapters of development can be turned, as well as pages. Our mission is to develop Great People, Great Performers and Great Tennis Players, through high player-care and valuing the pursuit of excellence. We are a National Tennis Academy aimed at taking players on their journey to the top of U18 International Tennis and supporting their progress beyond through a quality academic experience, coaching excellence, leading performance support and unrivalled training and competition programmes.
More information about our programme can be found on our website (https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/tennis/national-tennis-academy).
Roles and responsibilities of this exciting position are as follows:- Develop a strength and conditioning philosophy and curriculum that is synergistic with the Academy's strategy and coaching approach- Flexibly plan, programme and coach Strength and Conditioning sessions to Academy players, which is underpinned by sound scientific evidence and practice-based rationale- Contribute to annual, phase and weekly planning within the Academy player's schedules to consider physical attribute development, training load and preparation for competition- To support the Head Coach and Academy Manager/Head of Performance Support in driving and implementing the LUNTA values and player development philosophy; and embedding a culture of proactivity and excellence across the programme to successfully achieve the National Academy objectives.- Line manage and mentor at least one Strength and Conditioning coach as part of the LUNTA programme, with the potential to line manage more as the programme grows. This may also include line management, development and mentorship of any placement students and volunteers within the Academy- Lead the impact of Performance Nutrition support to the programme. This includes line management, mentorship, and development of Performance Nutrition staff, working with the Performance Nutrition staff and the Academy Manager/Head of Performance Support- To contribute and be part of the Loughborough Sport Strength and Conditioning Team. This will include sharing good practice, contributing to professional development, and helping mentor placement students and volunteers.
There is a great opportunity with this role to travel to both domestic and international junior and senior tennis tournaments with other members of the LUNTA staff team and our junior tennis players.
Skills and Experience:- Significant experience practicing as a Strength and Conditioning coach, developing athlete physical preparedness for performance in environments with highly competing demands- Experience working as part of a Strength and Conditioning team and role modelling professional behaviours to junior Strength and Conditioning coaches- Experience of working in a high performance or Academy level squad- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills- Proven track record and significant experience of working in an interdisciplinary team of coaches and practitioners to review players' development, establish and implement individual development plans- Significant experience of analysing the demands of sports and defining and implementing a strength and conditioning strategy to support performance outcomes- Detailed knowledge of functional anatomy, movement science the ability to integrate this knowledge within your practice- The ability to work alongside, motivate and drive performance of young, adolescent athletes- Excellent presentation and communication skills that can motivate behavioural change to have a positive impact on performance- Ability to multi-task in an open-plan office environment and on the road, and work within a fast-paced, driven environment- Growth-mindset; a candidate that is looking to develop a career in performance sport/performance operations, and willing to learn- A great team player; a candidate who enjoys and is comfortable in working with multiple stakeholders.
More detail is provided in the job description and on request. There is an opportunity for an additional market supplement for exceptional successful candidates. Informal enquiries should be made to Nathan Miller, Academy Manager/Head of Performance Support at n.miller@lboro.ac.uk
The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 8 February 2023.
Interviews will take place w/c 27 February 2023, specific days TBC.
For further details please follow link.