Under 21s Pathway Physiotherapist

Football

Oxford United Football Club are seeking an Under 21 Pathway Physiotherapist to join our dynamic Medical Team. In this role, you will provide high-level, evidence-based physiotherapy care to U21 players, focusing on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimisation, as well as contributing to the performance pathway for key U15-21 players. 

You will lead injury prevention programmes, drive departmental improvements, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to maximise player availability. As a key part of the Medical Team, you will contribute to daily meetings, assist with medical screenings, and ensure top-tier care for the U21 squad.

Job Title: U21 Pathway Physiotherapist  

Reports To: Head of Academy Sport Science & Medicine

Location: Oxford United Training Ground, Oxford Road, Horspath, OX33 1RT 

Role & Responsibilities – General:

  • Provide high-level, evidence-based physiotherapy care to U21 players.
  • Contribute to a modern, forward-thinking sports medicine department.
  • Develop and implement consistent, club-wide processes for injury prevention, screening and rehabilitation.
  • Maximise the availability of the U21 playing squad by introducing evidence-based Injury. 
  • Prevention Exercise Programmes (IPEPs) as routine practice.
  • Educate players and staff on the aims of such injury prevention programmes to optimise compliance.
  • Critically assess existing departmental practices and drive improvement where possible.
  • Contribute to daily Medical & Performance Team meetings. 
  • Collaborate with MDT to optimise training loads for performance and injury prevention. 
  • Regular review and training around trauma management with club doctors.
  • Communicate effectively with external support staff (e.g., podiatry, osteopath).
  • Offer updates to the coaching staff on injury status. 
  • Attend player appointments with consultants/scans, etc.
  • Actively take a role in pre-season and mid-season medical screenings.
  • Liaise with performance staff daily over any issues and medical concerns regarding the care of U21 squad members.

Role & Responsibilities – Other:

  • Monitor players following return to play post-injury, to minimise injury recurrence rates.
  • Collect key data and communicate this effectively to coaches, players, and other support staff. 
  • Perform medical screening of potential signings, reporting to the Academy management team. 
  • Contribute to a departmental CPD programme. 
  • Maintain high-level contemporaneous medical records on players that have been assessed or treated to the standards of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy & HCPC. 
  • Provide pitch-side medical cover for U21 fixtures. 
  • Arrange specialist referral and appropriate medical investigations as required.

Experience: 

  • Minimum one year’s experience working in an elite football environment.
  • Range of clinical experiences appropriate to working in an elite and high-expectation environment.
  • Previous knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of professional athletes.
  • Experience in pitch-side cover and leading of matchday medical services. 
  • Evidence of integrating injury prevention programmes into rthe outine medical approach.
  • Experience in implementing objective testing on a day-to-day basis as part of the rehabilitation process for injured players.

Qualifications & Training:

Essential:

  • BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy.
  • Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
  • Experience in leading the rehabilitation of elite football players. 
  • ITMMiF qualified.

Desirable: 

  • MSc in a related area or working towards. 
  • ATMMiF qualified.
  • Experience in leading and developing multidisciplinary teams in a sporting environment.
  • Evidence of excellence in physiotherapy delivery (e.g., special awards/commendations).

Skills & Behaviours: 

  • Evidence of high self-motivation within sports physiotherapy. 
  • Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent organisational and administration skills.
  • High-level musculoskeletal assessment skills.
  • Good management skills.
  • The ability to form professional relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • The ability to be flexible and work unsociable hours if required. 
  • Able to deal with sensitive and confidential information regarding injured players. 

How to apply: 

To apply, please send a current CV and covering letter to scoleman@oufc.co.uk by no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025.

Code of Conduct 

Oxford United Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to always act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the public, or damaging to its public image shall be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive, and violent behaviour is unacceptable, and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Oxford United Football Club are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity of opportunity are at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer, or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal. 

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and as we are underrepresented in these areas, we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability. 

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Oxford United Football Club are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the Club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in Club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment - carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.