Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club is seeking a dynamic 1XI Coach or Player Coach to lead its 1XI. Reporting into the Men's Club Captain, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality coaching sessions, devising and implementing strategic training programmes, and fostering a culture of excellence and achievement within the club's 1XI.
Sutton Coldfield is a community-based club, with Woman’s, Junior and Men’s sections. We run 9x Men’s XI teams on Saturdays across the Midlands leagues plus 2x Badgers teams. We proudly champion our junior players who develop and play key parts of our Men’s Saturday teams.

Our 4-year vision is to build the foundations to establish our 1XI in the Midlands Prem, pushing for promotion to the EH National league.

Key Responsibilities:

Coaching and Training:

Plan, organise, and deliver elite-level coaching sessions for the 1XI focusing on technical skill development, tactical understanding, and physical conditioning.
Develop and implement structured training programmes tailored to the specific needs and goals of individual players.
Provide feedback, guidance, and support to players to facilitate their development and performance improvement.
Player Development:
Work closely with the Senior Club Coaches plus SCHC Junior Coaches to ensure alignment of coaching methodologies and player development pathways.
Conduct regular player assessments and evaluations across HiPo players to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide targeted interventions.
Team Management and Leadership:
Lead and inspire 1XI players with a strong sense of purpose, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.
Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that promotes teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect among players and staff.
Collaborate with the Mens Club Captain to set team goals, strategies, and performance standards.

Competition Preparation:

Prepare 1XI for competitive fixtures, tournaments, and league matches by implementing effective game strategies and tactics.
Analyse opponents' strengths and weaknesses to develop game plans and scouting reports.
Attend 1XI matches and provide in-game coaching and support to maximise team performance.
A Player Coach will play in 1XI matches and lead on and off the pitch

Qualifications and Skills:

FIH Level 2 or GB Sessional Course qualifications or higher coaching qualifications, or equivalent experience.
Have played at International or National Level & can still play at National/Mids Prem level or equivalent - this only applies if applying as a Player Coach
Proven track record of coaching 1XI hockey teams with success at regional or national levels.
Excellent technical knowledge of hockey tactics, techniques, and game strategies.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire players and staff.
Experience working with youth players and developing talent through structured coaching programmes.
Ability to work collaboratively with club officials, coaches, players, and parents to achieve common goals.
Commitment to continuous professional development and staying abreast of developments in field hockey coaching and sport science.

Working Conditions:

This position may require evening and weekend work to accommodate training sessions, matches, and competitions.
The coach will be required to travel to away matches and tournaments as necessary.

Contract conditions & remuneration:

Self-Employed contractor basis
Contract rates & length of contract to be negotiated based on weekly committed time, number of sessions and relevant experience.

For more information, or to send your CV contact Men's Club Captain Gareth on clubcaptainsschc@gmail.com or via WhatsApp +447970434903

Note: This role description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the contract and the general nature and level of work performed by the person awarded this contract. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.