Junior Development Officer
Holder: Howard Hoare
E-mail: juniorvolleyball@ubvc.co.uk
Job Description
The role of the Junior Development Officer (JDO) is to ensure the continued development, promotion and advancement of the club’s junior development plan, a key aim of which is to maximise the opportunities young people have to learn and participate in volleyball and be involved in the sport to the maximum of their potential.
The JDO will also be responsible for ensuring that the club’s junior volleyball programme and related activities operate within the guidelines set out by Volleyball England and are of sufficient quality to ensure that young people are able to maximise their potential in a safe and supportive environment.
The post holder will also assist the management committee review and set long-term junior development goals and review the club 5 year junior development plan as and when appropriate.
Responsibilities
The JDO is a yearly elected post whose proposals will require the approval of the club management committee. The post holder will be responsible for club coaches who volunteer or work in schools as part of the club’s development programme.
Training and Support
It is envisaged that any new JDO will attend Running Sports ‘Developing Partnerships with Clubs and Schools’ workshop. Other training requests will be considered on individual basis when brought forward either by the post holder or the Head Coach.
The JDO will receive mentoring from the Head Coach.
Commitment
The time commitment of this post is envisaged to be 3-4 hours each week, rising to 6 hours per week during peak times, such the start of each school term.
In addition, the JDO is expected to:
- Attend all club committee meetings.
- Attend disciplinary committee meetings.
- Act as the club’s representative at other meetings as requested.
Main Duties
- Junior Development and Management
- Maintain high ethical standards within the junior development programme, ensuring all coaches of junior players lead sessions that are nurturing, supportive and of the highest standard.
- Liaise with the Club’s Coach Development Officer to ensure that those involved in coaching juniors have received the best possible training and mentoring support.
- Keep up-to-date on policy developments by Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust, Volleyball England, local councils and other organisations that can influence the club’s work with young people.
- Keep up-to-date on current best practice and welfare requirements for working with young people both within schools and at club sessions involving juniors.
- Ensure that all club coaches volunteering or working with young people are suitably trained, qualified and registered, in accordance with club and Volleyball England guidelines.
- Keep abreast of possible funding streams that may be accessible by the club to fulfil its development plan.
- Work in conjunction with the Head Coach to access any funding streams that may be available to further the junior development plan.
- Work alongside the Head Coach to develop junior teams and ensure that they receive high quality provision.
- Advise the management committee on all matters relating to the junior development programme.
- Communication
- Relay, via the most appropriate means, all decisions made by the management committee to individuals involved in the delivery of the club’s junior programme.
- Ensure that all issues raised by coaches, parents and others involved in the junior programme are brought to the attention of the committee.
- Deal with all requests from the management committee, University of Birmingham Sport and Volleyball England for information regarding the junior programme.
- Make sure all coaches and individuals involved in the junior programme are kept up-to-date on good practice and policies that may affect their work.
- Regularly communicate with club-linked schools, teachers, parents and other interested parties about the club’s junior programme.
- Work with Volleyball England, schools, local authorities and other third parties to ensure that all promotional opportunities for the club are realised.
- Co-ordinate the provision of coaching and training resources to the junior coaches and teams.
- Player Development and Welfare
- Make suggestions to the management committee how the club can provide better service for its junior members.
- Make sure all junior members are aware of the benefits and services they can access through the club, especially in relation to injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Maintain regular contact with injured junior members and their parents and offer support as required.
- Assist with the provision of advice, support and guidance, referring where necessary, for junior players that may require additional assistance beyond the ‘average player’. This may relate to player welfare issues such as schooling, family, life that may adversely impact on the player.
- Assist those players of outstanding potential in furthering their careers.
- Encourage junior club members to develop leadership and other skills through volunteering opportunities.
- Make sure that junior members’ commitment to club and teams does not adversely affect their education.
Expenses
All out-of-pocket expenses, such as telephone, printing and postage costs, will be reimbursed by the club. Funding for projects must be first approved by the management committee.
Benefits
The JDO is entitled to 20% discounted membership fees.
Skills and Qualities
This is a post that involves a lot of contact time with young people, parents and teachers therefore inter-personal and communication skills are essential. It is also essential that the post holder has an understanding of the school system and general idea of policies relating to working with young people.
Essential Skills
- Excellent communication
- Can relate well to different age groups
- Can to relate well to different backgrounds
- Long-term planning and goal setting
- Ability to work alongside other volunteers
Essential Qualities
- Outgoing and friendly
- Approachable
- Proactive
- Committed