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Backyard Sports Programs

The USA Coaching & Managament Staff

United Soccer Academy (USA) employs the most experienced, dynamic and diverse coaching  and management staff of any soccer camps provider.  

Our tried and tested policy is to provide professional soccer educators to deliver all of our programs. We hand pick the best coaches from thousands of applicants each year. Our dedication to quality is second to none. Outstanding applicants are selected for their experience and qualifications as well as their high energy levels. A USA coach will inspire, motivate and encourage all children in all programs.

In order to be a part of the USA team, our staff have undergone a rigorous recruitment process including on-field coaching assessments and in-depth off field interviews. Successful applicants then undergo extensive background and reference checks, followed by a thorough company orientation to ensure that only the best of the best are selected to represent USA.

Not only do we have a vast and professional coaching team, we also have a dedicated office set-up full of skilled individuals who are adept at providing resources, customer support and innovative ideas. The focus here is on a supportive learning environment that matches the energy and enthusiasm you will see from our coaches on the field. Our commitment to coaching is of the highest order, so much so that most of our office staff have coaching backgrounds and also coach with USSI alongside their administrative duties.

Our staff  typically originate from the United States and Europe amongst others. All come with a variety of specialist qualifications, backgrounds and have at least 2 years coaching experience. All staff are subject to the appropriate welfare checks.

USA employs both male and female staff who remain subject to constant staff training, development and evaluation during their time with USA. 

 

 
 

1. Recruitment

Initial Contact

Every year, the United Soccer Academy (USA) receives thousands of applications for a limited number of coaching positions. Applications are received from across the globe and the US and Europe inparticular. Each application is considered irrespective of geographical location, age, gender and experience.

The USA application form allows the applicant the opportunity to present their resume in addition to the details requested. The key aspects of the application form that are considered are:

  • Coaching/teaching experience.
  • Work/education experience.
  • Criminal background history.

Once an application has been approved, the candidate is then selected for an initial telephone interview.

Telephone Interview

The telephone interview allows USA the opportunity to gain more knowledge of the candidate, particularly focusing on their experience and personality. It is also an opportunity for the candidate to learn more about the USA and whether it is a good fit for them. Upon completion of the telephone interview, the candidate will either be invited to a face to face interview or rejected for the position.

Face to Face “Regional Interview”

Every year, management from the USA makes trips back to the UK to hold “Regional Interviews” in various locations around the British Isles. USA also holds regional interviews for US based staff at our main office in Bound Brook, NJ.

The interviews consist of presentations about the USA and what the candidates can expect from their time with the company. This is followed with “field coaching sessions” where the candidates are expected to perform coaching sessions in a variety of different sports. This allows us to establish their coaching ability, but also to assess their personality and their suitability to work with children. Following the regional interview, candidates will either be accepted for a position, or rejected based on their performance.

Administration

Once the candidate has been accepted at the regional interview stage, they are required to present certain paperwork to USA for visa purposes. The paperwork they are required to provide is as follows:

  • 3 written references (from previous employers or educational institutions).
  • 1 criminal history record (must state ‘no trace’ of a criminal history).
  • Copies of coaching qualifications.
  • Medical History and Immunizations (state dependant).

Upon receipt of this information, the candidate can then attend an interview at the US Embassy in their home country (for overseas staff members only).

If there are any issues with this paperwork i.e. a criminal record, then the candidate’s position with USA would be rescinded.

2. Orientation

Orientation Process

Prior to starting our programs and camps, our coaches are put through an extensive orientation lasting more than 40 hours, conducted by management staff members of the United Soccer Academy (USA). All of our coaches come from a strong background in teaching or education, however our orientation is designed to prepare the candidates fully, not only to do their job, but to adapt their coaching style to ensure they are coaching in the manner required by USA. The orientation consists of modules of varying length and will cover (not exclusively) the following topics:

  • Child protection & safety.
  • Class/camp administration & safety.    
  • First Aid and CPR.
  • How children learn.
  • Planning appropriate sessions.
  • How to run a successful USA camp.
  • Camp coordinators.
  • Camp curriculums.                
  • Practical instruction.
  • Coach evaluations.
  • Traits of a great USA coach.
  • USA core values.
  • USA standard operating procedures.

           

Ongoing Evaluation and Personal Development

Once our staff have begun their coaching assignments, they are continually evaluated to ensure that their performance on the field is up to the standard required by USA and the clients that we work with. If a coach is not performing to the level set, they will be given the opportunity of further training to improve in the identified areas. If the training does not improve the coach’s performance then we would release that coach from their contract.