Academy Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme

Step Into the Game: A Career-Changing Coaching Opportunity 

Contract Type: 23-month fixed-term 
Role & Development Programme: The successful candidate will divide their time between Sunderland AFC Academy Coach employment and the Premier League Coach Development Programme 
Location: Sunderland, UK 

Join the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 

Sunderland AFC in partnership with the Premier League, is proud to support the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme for the 2026/27 season. We're offering a 23-month, full-time academy coaching role to the successful candidate to support the development of the next generation of football coaches. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game. 

What’s Involved? 

You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at Sunderland AFC and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams. 

Your development journey will include: 

• Mentoring and bespoke support 

• Immersive learning experiences 

• Peer learning  

• Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability) 

On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University. 

What We’re Looking For 

Essential criteria: 

• UEFA B Licence as a minimum 

• No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club 

• Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings 

• FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (to be completed prior to role commencement) 

• Enhanced DBS as provided by Sunderland AFC 

Desirable criteria: 

• Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis 

• Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport 

• UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award 

• Teaching experience  

You’ll bring: 

• A drive to coach in the professional game 

• Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments 

• Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments 

• Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills 

• A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game 

How to Apply 

Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability, please contact the (club lead) for further support in applying for this role. 

In addition to submitting yoru CV, you will be required to submit a two-part cover letter via our portal, showcasing the following: 

Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrating how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria. Please structure your responses under the following headings: 

• The essential criteria I fulfil 

• The desirable criteria I fulfil 

• My desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game 

Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions.  Please structure your responses under the following headings: 

• My motivations for applying for the CIDS academy coach role and Premier League Coach Development Programme 

• How the CIDS academy coach role and development programme fits with my career ambitions 

• How my unique expertise, and lived experience, will benefit the club and players 

Key Dates 

• Application Deadline: 11th May 2026 

• Email Queries To: Alex Renny (alex.renny@safc.com) 

• Assessment Activities:  

1. Stage 1 – w/c 18th May 

2. Stage 2 – Saturday 23rd May  

3. CIDS Induction, Lake District September 2026 (4 days) 

Sunderland AFC and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability. Please contact Alex Renny, alex.renny@safc.com, if you would like to discuss this further. 

Equality monitoring information will be requested but will not form part of the selection process.