We’re currently looking for 1 Head Coach to join our team at Gosport Darts Academy.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at coach@portsmouthdartsacademy.co.uk for further information or to apply and receive details on the next steps.
Please review our safer recruitment policy for further information.
The Academy
The Portsmouth Darts Academy (PDA) was set up in November 2018, and officially launches its Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) partnership in January 2019 when we welcomed our first members. Gosport Darts Academy began in 2024 and affiliated with the JDC in 2025. It is a new academy.
We are one of a growing number of youth darts academies affiliated with the JDC.
The Academy ethos is fundamentally that all coaches actively encourage children to have respect for each other and for other people’s property. Good and kind/polite behaviour is regularly acknowledged and rewarded. We encourage fun and learning when it comes to darts – it is not ALL about the competitions, albeit we also work with students to prepare them for what competitions involve and aim to remove any uncertainty before events.
We have an agreement with The RAFA Club as our venue for sessions, as well as ongoing support when we hold Development Tournaments or special events. We are incredibly thankful for this support, and in turn, offer support for the venue through public advertising.
In working with the JDC; the PDA is effectively a ‘grass-roots’ entry point for those looking to participate in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
Role Profile
| Role Title | GDA Head Coach |
| Position Type | On-going volunteer |
| Responsibilities | Academy Development Recruitment of volunteer coaching staff Promotion of the Academy in the wider community, including but not limited to, local news interviews and social media promotion Be active in GDA conversations and meetings. Support The Academy Director and Child Welfare Officer in their activities to improve the academy. Ensure that members are motivated by, and retained in, The Academy through high quality coaching. Support the CWO in administration and management information collation. Coach Support Creation of coaching activities, games, tournaments and/or learning activities that other coaches can use. Volunteer Coach development in terms of expected practice and improving coaching ability, through recommending training, one-to-one coaching, shadowing, and feeding back. Be an escalation point if required, to speak to parents about member ability and/or behaviour. Committed to developing all student members, through the volunteer coaches. Reminding Volunteer coaches of important and ongoing messages, such as safety, code of conduct, dart etiquette etc. Coaching Support student members aged 6-18 in the sessions. This involves; Welcoming members & parents Encouraging and supporting a warmup Encouraging focus on the JDC routine, and provide insight in to how to improve, what to aim for based on ability, promote thinking carefully Monitoring behaviour, and encouraging code of conduct/dart etiquette throughout sessions Celebrating successes enthusiastically Providing support, guidance & encouragement to members when they don’t throw their best Preparing games, routines, tournaments (as appropriate) with the wider PDA coaching team Providing feedback to the Academy leadership on members when requested Accurately recording the routine results on the devices provided in the session Reporting any breaches of PDA policy Ensure safe academy play space; remind members of their responsibilities to remain safe Helping to either set up or pack down (or both where possible) Adhere to all required policies and processes |
| Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities | JDC routine understanding and darts in general Ability to communicate well with both children and adults Ability to inspire, motivate and encourage people through sport. Ability to follow direction well Use of computer tablets Understanding of child safeguarding practice is desirable Plenty of enthusiasm Willingness to share ideas for improving the Academy. Commitment to continuous professional development and willingness to undertake training where necessary. This position is subject to Basic DBS Clearance if not yet completed and a probation period of 3 months. |
| Reports To | The Academy Director |
| Confidentiality | N/A – no confidential data handled regularly |
Requirements
- Commit to attend sessions (minimum 6 out of 8 per season) 18:00-19:30 every Wednesday at The RAFA Club. Notify the Academy Director (or Helen in their absence) of being unable to attend as soon as possible.
- Support either set up 17:00-18:00 or pack down 19:30-20:00 every Wednesday
- Every Thursday, coaches receive an update summary (via Whatsapp) of the previous session. There may be queries, or specific instructions provided for the following session which need to be adhered to.
- Feedback to volunteer coaches and support improvement in coaching practice through sharing good practice and resources.
What you get
- Training on recruitment practice, support on coaching coaches if required.
- Optional online training certifications in various coaching courses and working with children in sport. These are free.
- Subject to successfully passing a probation period: optional First Aid training
- Subject to successfully passing a probation period; optional Safeguarding Children training
- Premium feature access in GoDartsPro.com