Sports Development Apprentice
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Company: BEDFORD BLUES FOUDATION
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Location: MK40 3JY
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £14,000.00 per year
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Sector: Business and administration
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Ref: NAS-2000014060
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Application Deadline Date: 27/03/2026
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Start Date: 01/09/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Working pattern is Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (with 1 hour paid lunch break). There will be occasional evening and weekend work. However, there will be prior notice.
Brief Description
A unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and determined person who is driven and passionate about changing lives in our local area, our Sports Development Apprentice will play a pivotal role shadowing and delivering our programmes, as well as experience and contribute towards the wider operations of our charity.
Training to be Provided
Over a three-year period, the apprentice will spend the equivalent of one day per week undertaking university study on the Sports Business Management Degree Apprenticeship, attending the University of Hertfordshire's de Havilland campus in Hatfield approximately every other Friday for face-to-face teaching, while the remainder of their week will be spent in the workplace and locations determined by the employer, learning on the job skills.
While the Degree Apprenticeship aligns to the Chartered Manager Standard, upon successful completion of their training, the apprentice will be awarded a BSc Sports Business Management (Work-Based).
Future Prospects
Following successful completion of the Degree Apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity for the successful candidate to remain in, and progress within the organisation.
Vacancy Detail
The role will encompass session delivery across our community rugby and outreach programmes, as well as relationship building, project management, fundraising and business planning with colleagues, including, but not limited to:
- Deliver high quality sessions across a range of projects designed by Blues Foundation in school and community settings.
- Activate curriculum programmes across primary and secondary schools, multisport sessions including ABILITY Blues, and other sport-related projects and camps where appropriate.
- Contributing to marketing activity to engage a range of abilities, backgrounds and audiences, increasing rugby participation and access to our sport.
- Develop opportunities for Blues Foundation to grow through relationship building, actively contributing to the department business plan and working with wider Foundation staff.
- Establish constructive working relationships with the key stakeholders and develop regular contact to promote collaboration and sharing of good practice.
- Play an instrumental role in supporting and enhancing our matchday operations, leading activities and communicating effectively with clubs, schools and community groups in the build-up to events.
- Implement experience and knowledge gained from the Sports Business Management degree to further develop our work and create innovative ways to increase funding and increase our brand.
- Plan, organise and review all sessions. As well as complete aspects of administration, monitoring and evaluation of sessions required.
- Maintain a high standard of health and safety and implement correct safeguarding procedures.
Other Information
It is important to us at Blues Foundation that we bring the right people into our environment. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate an ability to actively and consistently exhibit the new Blues Family values - Passion, Adaptability, Unity, Sustainability and Enjoyment. We also require:
- A full and clean driving licence with access to your own vehicle
- Level 2 coaching award or equivalent, including England Rugby Coaching Award
- Valid Emergency First Aid and Safeguarding qualifications desirable
- The role will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
The successful apprentice will:
- Positively represent and promote Blues Foundation and the Bedford Blues brand. Maintaining a positive and enthusiastic attitude and energy to delivery
- Possess the ability to work independently, positively and to our core values across all elements of our work
- Be reliable, hardworking, trustworthy, and willing to work as part of the team for the benefit of Blues Foundation and the wide variety of projects delivered
Desirable skills:
- Experience delivering a variety of high-quality activity sessions, as well as an empathy and understanding towards the target audience
- Experience in delivering and engaging young people from challenging backgrounds is desirable. This includes some experience with disabilities and SEN sessions
- Experience and ability to communicate professionally across different levels
- Ability to deliver at a high standard and to the values of Blues Foundation, as well as an ability to contribute to wider work and impact of the charity.
- Experience with Microsoft Office
- Ability to work and deliver in a team environment, as well as individually
Blues Foundation are an equal opportunities' employer. We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act (2010) to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act), to meet the requirements of the post. Blues Foundation may make adjustments or changes to the job description, role or grading at their discretion and will be communicated with the post holder.