Rugby & Hockey Lead Professionals

The School

The Glasgow Academy is a high-achieving co-educational independent day school for children aged 3-18. Founded in 1845, we pride ourselves on the all-round education, first-class facilities and exceptional opportunities our pupils enjoy. The oldest continuously independent school in the West of Scotland, we are anything but old school. We have 1700 pupils in our care, and we work hard to provide them with the best possible education.

The Roles

We seek a Hockey Professional and Rugby Professional from August 2025 to join our existing sports coaching team. The roles are permanent term-time positions (25 hours per week inclusive of Saturday mornings), to enhance the delivery of sport at the Academy and to support players of all abilities. Successful candidates will be expected to lead before school and after school sessions as well an occasional Sunday as required. A rough breakdown of timings are as follows:

- Monday - Thursday: 1.45pm until 5.30pm (Sports sessions finish at 4.15pm, but there is a requirement to support after school sessions on some days)

- Fridays: 1.45pm until 4.15pm

- Saturdays: Approximately 8am – 12pm

- 2 x before school sessions per week

- 1.5 hours admin time per week.

Whilst accountable to the Director of Sport, the newly formed roles will primarily support the Head of Rugby and Head of Hockey in ensuring that the highest quality experience is available to all our pupils, at all ages, to ensure that they can maximise their ability. The successful candidates will have responsibility for delivering the school’s skills development programme, and will work with individuals and teams, within and beyond the timetable, to devise and deliver specific coaching. This will involve elite performance support, including analysis and mentoring. They will also Support the process of Coach Development across both programmes.

The Academy’s view is that participation and performance are not mutually exclusive; therefore, our aspiration is to ensure that pupils of appropriate ability and ambition are enabled to perform at a national level, whilst all have the opportunity to experience connectedness and collaboration through being part of a team.

It will be essential to maintain knowledge both of current coaching practices, and also of SRU/SH programmes and policies. Familiarity with player pathways will be a considerable advantage, and liaison with relevant bodies beyond the Academy would be an advantage. The Rugby and Hockey Professionals will be ambassadors for the school, and the game, and maintain positive relationships within the local sport landscape.

The successful candidates will contribute broadly to the work of the sports department. This will include a share of administrative duties (including pupil sports tracking), player support and contribution to coach development. It is important to note that a capacity to contribute to other sports and activities will be necessary, particularly during the summer term.

Person Specification

Meet as necessary with Director of Sport or relevant others to co-ordinate all required tasks.

Travel on a sports bus as required from Kelvinbridge to the School Sports Ground or any other relevant venues.

Support departmental annual events within your role, including; Prep & Senior Cross Country, P7

TGA Invitational Hockey Tournament, Parents Information Evening, Swimming Galas, Henderson

Challenge, Cricket tournaments, Tennis tournaments, Sports Prize Giving and Sports Days.

The Academy seeks to appoint engaging, personable, confident and enthusiastic professionals, who will fit in well to the Sports Department, and make a significant contribution to the development of Hockey/Rugby in the school. They will be committed team players, who will be welcomed into a large department of dedicated coaches and teachers. Applications are welcome from individuals from different backgrounds, both within education and the elite game. Successful experience of playing and/or coaching in a performance environment will be essential.

Coaching qualifications are an advantage, alongside a commitment to ongoing professional development. An understanding of the landscape of school, and pathway, sport is highly desirable.

The Hockey and Rugby Professionals will be committed role models, creating a positive and fun environment which motivates young people to love the game, participate enthusiastically and apply themselves to improvement. A capacity to create positive relationships with players of all ages and abilities is essential and to help each one to develop team ship, commitment, selflessness, empathy and respect - along with an emphasis on sense of belonging and connection. This includes working with the youngest players in the Prep School to ensure that they have a positive experience of the game and establish a sound foundation of skills. Retaining players in the game, within an environment of free choice, will be an important priority.

The background of the successful candidates will be less important than their attitude and commitment and to the development of teams and individuals. Although high level coaching skills will be essential, more significant will be personal qualities to enthuse players, work within a staff team and enhance the reputation of sport at the Academy. A willingness to go above and beyond at times is essential.

Next Steps

Completed applications should be emailed to recruitment@tga.org.uk. The closing date is 3rd June 2025 and it is anticipated that Interviews will be held at the Academy in the week commencing 9th June. Applications will be considered as they are received, so early applications are advised. The Academy reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage of the process.

Salary

A competitive salary will be offered to successful candidates depending on experience and qualifications.

Further Information

Hockey and Rugby at The Glasgow Academy

Hockey and Rugby are undoubtedly rooted within the fabric of our school. We want everyone to feel valued and part of a team whilst striving to compete with the very best. We want our pupils to have a positive experience through school sport and to develop skills that they will use in their future lives.

With almost 40 Hockey and Rugby teams out on a Saturday, ranging from pupils in P5 to S6, the hockey and rugby programmes play a significant role in school life. At the top end, our 1st teams compete each year in National cup competitions and throughout the year all other year groups also compete in various competitions both locally and nationally, as well as their respective West tournaments.

Boys’ hockey is an area of development in the school. S1 is the entry level for the boys with a 1st and Junior XI teams representing the school in Saturday fixtures and invitational tournaments throughout the season.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Hockey and Head of Rugby to deliver sessions across our school, from P5 – S6.
• Contribute to a culture and atmosphere of enthusiastic participation, enjoyment, where all pupils, regardless of age or ability, are committed to learn and improve.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate coaching that supports both participation and performance pathways.
• Be passionate about motivating young people, about inspiring excellence and instilling the highest of standards.
• Care deeply about children's success and will be skilled at motivating children to work to their full potential.
• Development of able, highly motivated, and happy team players, successful teams, and a feel-good factor about sport which excites young people.
• Empower pupils to be gracious in victory and defeat, encouraging the highest level of work rate and pushing them to the best of their potential, regardless of ability.
• Empower pupils with the belief that ability is not fixed and that abilities can be developed considerably through sensibly focused endeavour.
• Monitor and assess pupil development, providing feedback and encouragement to help players reach their potential.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with all staff and coaches.
• Represent the school positively and professionally, at all times.
• Ensure that you follow best practice in line with Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• A capacity to contribute to other sports and activities will be necessary, particularly during the summer term.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in coaching hockey/rugby, ideally within a school or youth setting.
• Recognised hockey/rugby coaching qualification.
• Excellent communication, and organisational skills.
• Ability to inspire and motivate young players of varying ages and abilities.
• A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Desirable

• Experience of working in an independent school environment.
• First aid qualification and relevant.
• Experience of coaching within elite pathway performance programmes.