Academy Coach – Coach Inclusion Diversity Scheme

Join the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS) 

Everton Football Club, 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 Everton Football Club 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) 

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 

At application you will be asked to complete a two-part cover letter and upload your CV: 

1. 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 

2. 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: 24th May 2026 

• Assessment Activities: Stage 1 w/c 1st June & Stage 2 w/c 8th June  

• CIDS Induction, Lake District September 2026 (4 days) 

Everton Football Club and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability. Please contact careers@evertonfc.com, if you would like to discuss this further. 

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

Everton Family Safer Recruitment Practices

The Everton Family is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.            

As a requirement of our safer recruitment practices, this role will require either a Enhanced or Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check or evidence that you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service       

This role is subject to both evidence and verification of relevant qualifications including proof of Eligibilty to work in the UK which will be discussed with you if your application is successful. 

Equity & Inclusion       

Everton is committed to ensuring everyone is respected, celebrated, and empowered for who they are, regardless of their identity. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, and those from racially diverse communities. We are dedicated to supporting the physical and mental/emotional wellbeing of all our people. Should you have a disability or long-term health condition and require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application/interview/onboarding process, please let us know by contacting the Talent Acquisition Team via email - careers@evertonfc.com        

To support our pledge to diversify our organisation and through our commitment to the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code, Everton welcomes applications from people of all walks of life. As part of our commitment to Disability, Inclusion and Accessibility we are more than happy to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process should you require.