Lead Academy Therapist

Organisation: Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Salary: Competitive (depending on experience)
Location: Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AF (with travel around the region).
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 10 October 2025
Job Description: 黑料不打烊:
We are Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Newcastle Falcons), and this is not just a new season, it is a new era for rugby in the North-East and Cumbria. As the only Premiership rugby team in the True North of England we have our sights set on writing a bold and exciting new chapter for professional sport. We are looking to employ two experienced physiotherapists, sports rehabilitators or sports therapists who are organised, enthusiastic and with excellent communication skills to join our ambitious academy programme and be part of this journey with us.

The Role:
As Lead Academy Therapist, you will oversee the academy medical department and work with our Confirmation Phase players (+18), delivering comprehensive therapy support, pro-actively engaging in injury prevention strategies and providing excellent levels of care during injury rehabilitation processes to return players to optimal health, fitness and well-being.

Hours: Full-time (including evenings and weekends)
Reporting to: Head of Academy / Head of Medical Services

Key Responsibilities:
鈥� Lead the academy medical department in line with agreed objectives and KPIs, working in conjunction with other staff as part of an inter-disciplinary team to manage the medical care of contracted academy players.
鈥� Provide pitch-side medical cover for players at fixtures and through the week at senior squad training sessions, ensuring all operating procedures and minimum standards are adhered to.
鈥� Make accurate injury assessments and clinical diagnoses based on sound medical and ethical judgement to support health, fitness and well-being, including making critical decisions regarding player availability.
鈥� Plan, deliver and review comprehensive injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes that are aligned with their individual needs, based on objective markers and have accurate return-to-play time frames.
鈥� Adopt a pro-active approach to player welfare, including reducing injury risks by considering risk factors such as injury history, physiological markers and performance tests to inform decision making.
鈥� Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical notes on the central database for each player, communicate these to relevant staff in a timely manner and provide accurate feedback and information for daily updates.
鈥� Report to the Head of Medical Services daily to provide updates on injured players and consult with any new injuries that may require further investigation, supporting senior squad delivery from time to time.
鈥� Support England Academy Players with bespoke interventions and guidance, including work with partnership programmes and in collaboration with other staff to ensure players follow a single rehabilitation plan.
鈥� Support Development Phase activity, attending sessions and fixtures from time to time to ensure that medical provision and support services are robust and staff are supported in their development needs.
鈥� Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders including players, parents, support networks, senior staff and external representatives such as CBs, the RFU and PRL to enhance the club鈥檚 reputation and performance.
鈥� Uphold and promote adherence to all PRL, RFU and World Rugby regulations, standards and ethical practices to represent the club professionally and transparently, including any industry specific regulations.
鈥� In addition to these duties which this job normally entails the employee may from time to time be required to undertake reasonable additional or other duties or participate in research and development projects.

Key Performance Indicators:
鈥� Improvements towards reducing the number of training days missed through injury
鈥� RFU and PRL Medical Audit feedback, including quality of medical notes on Kit Man Labs
鈥� Development of sustainable practices across the medical department
鈥� Feedback from players / stakeholders on the quality of service provided

Essential requirements:
鈥� BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation or Sports Therapy
鈥� Must be registered with relevant professional body (i.e. HCPC / BASRaT / SST)
鈥� Minimum 4 years of experience working as a therapist in elite sport
鈥� Understanding of youth development, anatomy and physiology
鈥� Full UK Driving License and access to own car
鈥� Ability to work unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends
鈥� Eligible to work in the UK
鈥� Enhanced DBS Clearance

Desirable requirements:
鈥� RFU Level 3 PHICIS qualification
鈥� Experience working within a full-time sporting environment
鈥� Experience working in elite-level rugby

Safeguarding:
Newcastle Red Bulls take safeguarding very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of all children and adults when engaging in club activities or services. The Club has safeguarding policies and best practice guidelines to support this and expect all employees to always adopt such policies and procedures. A copy of the safeguarding policy is available on our website. We adhere to strict guidelines and policies in our recruitment process and expect all staff to undertake safeguarding training appropriate to their role and share our commitment to safeguarding.

Equal Opportunities:
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin. The post holder鈥檚 duties must be carried out in compliance with the Club鈥檚 Equal Opportunities Policy, with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety Legislation. This post requires an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Information on all convictions including spent convictions must be declared, in line with the new Government Filtering System.
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Employment is subject to satisfactory professional references, the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK as well as a successfully cleared enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and clearance of RFU safer recruitment procedure.
How to apply: Please send a CV and cover letter (including which role you are interested in - Lead Academy Therapist or Development Phase Therapist) to: Mark Laycock (Performance Manager) at mark.laycock@newcastle-falcons.co.uk We will accept no more applications after 5pm on Friday 10th October 2025.