Vikings are looking for a new Head Coach for the Women's team

Reporting to: Head of Foundation, Women’s Team Manager

Responsible for: Players and assistant coaches

Working with: Assistant Coaches, Strength and Conditioning, Analysis and Medical staff.

Widnes Vikings women’s team currently play in the Women’s Championship and are enjoying steady progress. Coming under the banner of the club’s foundation this is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven individual to undertake this role and lead the squad to further development. The team is part of the wider Widnes Vikings club and we are looking to drive further growth into this area of the club from 2024 onwards.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary position but reasonable and agreed expenses will be covered.

General Description

To lead the coaching team (assistant coaches) and drive the development of both individual and team development in the women’s environment through outstanding coaching practice and underpinning review and education processes. Working towards identified technical and tactical markers as part of the clubs women’s player development framework the head coach will also lead on the culture and standards identified in the clubs women’s development footprint. The head coach will work closely with both the lead strength and conditioning coach to ensure the implementation of both mental skills and physical development are undertaken in all field sessions aligned to the principles of tactical periodization and holistic player development.

Widnes Vikings Women Coaching Philosophy

We use a number of coaching styles based on the needs of the individual players and learners and not the style of the coaches. Our preferred style is guided discovery and fits with our aim of player ownership, problem solving and developing player intelligence. The utilisation of games based practice, exploration and effective questioning are key pillars of our coaching methodology along with the principles of tactical periodisation with technical, tactical, physical and mental attributes delivered as one linked to our club playing model.

Main Duties

To drive and lead the culture of the academy environment aligned to the women’s footprint.
To create a positive and player centred learning environment.
To deliver outstanding coaching practice and coach in a manner consistent with the Widnes Vikings Coaching Philosophy (see above) and the principles of the tactical periodisation model with identified technical, tactical, physical and mental outcomes in mind in order to achieve holistic long term player development outcomes.
To lead on phase overview planning aligned to the women’s player development framework in conjunction with strength and conditioning and mental skills coaches.
To lead on sessional planning aligned to identified planned phases with long term player development in mind and communicate at least 24 hours prior to session to other coaching team members.
To lead the review process with other staff members from both a sessional and phase perspective in order to identify areas of improvement with player development in mind.
To manage and update individual player development plans.
To lead on individual player review procedures aligned to individual player development plans undertaking formal reviews in pre season, mid- season and post season as agreed by the Head of Foundation and Women’s Team Manager.
To lead on team selection with long term player development in mind rather than short term success (winning games).
To lead on post- match individual reviews.
To lead on post -match team reviews.
To lead of pre match team previews.
To utilise video and both formal and informal education to aid the player development process.
To have an open mind, with regard to personal development and the opportunities provided on the programme.
To champion best practice around player development in community club settings (when appropriate).