Player and Game Lead - Performance Support

Football Association of Ireland•Dublin, OH

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Player & Game Lead plays a central role in connecting the national player pathway with regional delivery. Working across both regional and national environments, the role strengthens alignment between clubs, leagues, schools, regional development programmes, and international teams. The post-holder acts as a regional performance support & technical lead, building strong relationships across the game, enhancing playing opportunities, supporting player and coach development, and ensuring consistent standards and alignment across the pathway.

Requirements

Qualification in relevant Performance Support, Sport Science, Athletic Development, Strength & Conditioning Domain
Significant experience in player athletic development programming within academy, club, or regional structures.
Experience in implementing age and stage appropriate fitness testing protocols in team environments
Strong understanding of athletic development principles and the Irish player pathway.
Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary or multi-stakeholder environments.
Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-management skills.
Proven ability to plan, deliver, and review high-quality player physical or coach development activity.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of performance support practices in an applied football environment (e.g., physical game demands, playing position physical requirements, player rehabilitation, data interpretation)
Experience contributing to coach development or CPD delivery.
Knowledge of Irish football structures and development pathways.
Experience working across regional or national player development programmes.
Experience contributing to CPD, coach mentoring, or development planning.
Knowledge of national competition formats, player pathways, and Irish football structures.

Responsibilities

Lead regional player development programmes and pathway activation events aligned to national standards.
Identify, track, and support pathway players in collaboration with Head of Performance Support, Head of Talent ID, International Coaches, and Heads of Football in clubs.
Collaborate with Heads of Football in clubs to strengthen pathway alignment across performance support and football development.
Ensure age- and stage-appropriate movement competencies and athletic development programming are delivered consistently across all parts of the region.
Uphold high standards of behaviour, professionalism, wellbeing, and care across all regional environments.
Promote and support the implementation of national movement competency and athletic development programs across pathway structures, clubs and leagues.
Work with Club and League Development Leads to increase meaningful athletic development opportunities in all environments.
Support regional competitions and development festivals aligned with pathway objectives.
Work closely with Coach Developers to ensure regional coaching practice reflects the FAI’s physical development principles.
Work with Heads of Football in academies and grassroots clubs to ensure development plans and feedback processes are consistent and well-aligned.
Contribute to regional CPD events and communities of practice to support high-quality coaching across clubs in the region.
Model high-quality coaching behaviours and promote reflective practice across the region.
Act as the primary performance support contact for clubs, leagues, and regional partners within the assigned region.
Build strong, aligned relationships with Heads of Football, club leadership, leagues, and school networks to support pathway delivery.
Ensure close alignment between regional activity and national programmes, feeding insight to the Head of Performance Support, Technical Director and relevant national staff.
Support international football activity when required, including contributing to camps or player review processes.
Provide regular updates, reports, and recommendations to the Head of Performance Support, Technical Director and relevant national staff.
Support delivery of regional FAI activities as required.
Ensure all regional activity aligns with FAI safeguarding, wellbeing, and duty-of-care standards.
Promote a safe, inclusive, and player-centred environment across all programmes.