Kickstart Your Coaching Career with Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation

Are you passionate about sport, community, and inspiring the next generation? The Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation Coach Core Apprenticeship Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, professional qualifications, and mentorship, all while making a difference across the Tees Valley.

About the Programme

This 15-month, work-based apprenticeship provides an exceptional route into a career in sports coaching, physical education, and community development.

Apprentices work as part of the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation’s Education Team, delivering sessions across schools and community settings in the Tees Valley region.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will work alongside experienced and qualified Foundation coaches, gaining invaluable practical experience in delivering high quality sport and physical activity sessions across a range of programmes, including:

• Premier League Primary Stars

• Premier League Inspires

• EFL Joy of Moving

• PPA (Planning, Preparation and Assessment) delivery

Qualifications Gained

During the apprenticeship, you’ll work towards industry-recognised qualifications, including:

• Community Activator Coach Level 2 Qualification (Opportunity to have hyperlink to Gov Website to provide more information)

• National Governing Body (NGB) coaching qualifications

• First Aid at Work certification

These qualifications provide a solid foundation for a future career in sport, coaching, or education.

Professional Development & Mentoring

Our apprentices benefit from tailored professional development opportunities throughout the programme.

Each apprentice is supported by a dedicated 1-to-1 mentor, focusing on holistic coach development, helping you grow not only as a coach but also as a confident, reflective, and community-minded professional.

Through workshops, reflective practice, and on-the-job learning, you’ll develop essential skills such as leadership, communication, and session delivery, preparing you for a rewarding career in the sport and education sectors.

Why Join Us?

• Gain hands-on experience working within a professional football club foundation

• Develop your coaching skills alongside expert mentors

• Make a real difference in local schools and communities

• Achieve nationally recognised qualifications

• Build a pathway into employment within sport, education, or community development

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals aged 16 – 24 who are passionate about sport, teamwork, and inspiring others.

No previous coaching experience is required — just a willingness to learn, a positive attitude, and a desire to make an impact in your community.

Location 

Placements are based across the Tees Valley, with apprentices embedded into the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation Education Team.

How to Apply

Applications open periodically throughout the year.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact [email protected]

FAQs

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a formal training scheme where you are placed with an employer to earn while you learn.

How much do I get paid?

The minimum wage varies depending on your age and how far through your apprenticeship you are, but it starts at £6.40 per hour. However, employers may choose to pay more – the Apprenticeship Pay Survey in 2019 estimated the average hourly pay received by Level 2 & 3 apprentices was £7.56 an hour.

How long does it last?

The apprenticeship lasts a minimum of 15 months, usually up to 18 months

Do I have to have any qualifications?

No qualifications are required. However, if you do not have your Maths and English GCSEs, you will be supported by your Learning Coach to achieve these ‘Functional Skills’ by the end of the apprenticeship.

Can I apply if I have a criminal conviction?

Yes, we just ask that you be honest about it on your application.

Will I have a job at the end of it?

There will not be a guaranteed job for you at the end of the apprenticeship. Many of our apprentices do impress enough to be offered a job when they finish, but it is not guaranteed.

How does the Education part work?

You will meet with your Learning Coach regularly, in person and online, along with all the other apprentices in your cohort, for a group session. This will cover theory and practical learning, and will prepare you for your End Point Assessment, as well as making you better at your job! Your Learning Coach will also visit you at your place of work.

What will a level 2 or 3 apprenticeship allow me to do?

A Level 2 apprenticeship is equivalent to 5 GCSEs and is a great first step into the world of work. Level 3 apprenticeships are equivalent to 2 A-levels and can be an entry into the world of work, a great next step for those finishing a Level 2, or a way of upskilling within your current employer. The specific apprenticeships Coach Core offers are the Community Activator Coach (L2) and the Community Sport & Health Officer (L3). Both these will give you lots of experience in planning and delivering sport and physical activity sessions to a range of potential participants. They also provide you with a wide range of transferable skills that you can take into other areas of work if this sector isn’t where your future lies.

What are the working hours?

You will typically work 24 hours a week for your employer and spend an additional 6 hours with your Learning Coach or studying. You will be paid for the full 30 hours.

Due to the nature of the sport-coaching sector, you should not expect to be working the typical 9am-5pm – you will very likely have to work some evenings and weekends.

Will I be coaching full-time?

You are very unlikely to be coaching full-time. Coaching work will make up the bulk of your time, but your hours will also include planning and reviewing coaching sessions. It is also likely you will be required to do other work, such as some office admin.

Do I need to be coaching already to apply?

No prior coaching experience is required.

Do I have to be good at sport to apply?

No. Many of our successful apprentices haven’t considered themselves “sporty”. The main thing is that you have a passion and a commitment to helping others.

Can I do this if I have dependents?

Yes. We’d recommend telling this to your Learning Coach and/or employer so you can access any additional support, if required.

Can I do this if I have a physical or intellectual disability?

Yes. We’d recommend telling your Learning Coach and/or employer so you can access any additional support, if required.