From Practitioner to Leader:
Step Into Senior High-Performance Roles With Confidence

You’re Good Enough to Lead. You’re Just Not Being Seen as a Leader — Yet.
Transform how you think, communicate and influence so you’re recognised as leadership-ready.

A 12-week hybrid course for S&C coaches, physios and sport science practitioners who want to move into Head of Performance, Head Coach or Department Lead roles.

Can you relate to these...

You’re highly skilled in your discipline — coaching, rehab, analysis or performance.But when it comes to stepping into leadership:

  • You’ve never been formally trained for management.

  • You want more influence across departments.

  • You feel ready for the next role… but unsure how to demonstrate leadership capability.

  • You’re stuck in practitioner mode, doing great work but not seen as a strategic leader.

You’re not alone. Most support staff are promoted based on technical skill — but succeed based on leadership skill.

The Solution...

Practitioner to Leader is a guided 12-week transformation that builds the mindset, skills and behaviours you need to step confidently into leadership positions within professional sport.

You’ll learn the exact frameworks, tools and perspectives used by successful Heads of Department and High-Performance Leaders — and you’ll apply them immediately to your own environment.

About Tom Clough

I’m Tom Clough — a performance practitioner and leader with first-hand experience working inside elite, high-pressure sporting environments.

I started out as a specialist practitioner before moving into leadership roles where I led staff, influenced coaches, and helped shape performance strategy at the department level.After years supporting practitioners on their own leadership journey, I noticed the same pattern:
great practitioners weren’t being given the tools to become great leaders.This course was built to change that — giving you the leadership skills that unlock senior roles and long-term career progression.

The Format

This course runs across 12 weeks consisting of:

  • 6 self-paced learning modules (one every two weeks)

  • 6 live 60-minute group coaching calls (one after each module)

  • Tools, templates and leadership exercises

  • Real-world application tasks to embed learning

  • Access to recordings and resources

  • Optional community support / Q&A

Cohort 1 - Starts January 2026

Schedule;

  1. Module 1 - WC 26th Jan 2026

  2. Live Group Session 1 - Monday 2nd Feb 2026

  3. Module 2 - WC 9th Feb 2026

  4. Live Group Session 2 - Monday 16th Feb 2026

  5. Module 3 - WC 23rd Feb 2026

  6. Live Group Session 3 - Monday 2nd March 2026

  7. Module 4 - WC 9th March 2026

  8. Live Group Session 4 - Monday 16th March 2026

  9. Module 5 - WC 23rd March 2026

  10. Live Group Session 5 - Monday 30th March 2026

  11. Module 6 - WC 6th April 2026

  12. Live Group Session 6 - Monday 13th April 2026

Module 1
Stepping into Leadership; Identity, Mindset & Foundations

  1. From Practitioner to Leader: What Changes?

  2. Leadership Mindset in High Performance Sport

  3. Self Leadership: the Non Negotiable Foundation

  4. First Steps in Influence & Negotiation

  5. Building your Leadership Blueprint

Module 2
Management V Leadership

  1. The Difference Between Management & Leadership

  2. Core Responsibilities of a High Performance Manager

  3. Core Responsibilities of a High Performance Leader

  4. Balancing Short Term Delivery with Long Term Direction

  5. Building Systems, Processes & Clarity Across your Department

  6. When to Manage v When to Lead (Decision Making Framework)

Module 3
Communication & Coaching for Leadership

  1. Communication Principles for High Performing Environments

  2. Leading Difficult Conversations with Staff & Coaches

  3. Coaching Led Leadership, Asking Better Questions

  4. Delivering Clear Messages Under Pressure

  5. Building Psychological Safety & high Trust Communication

  6. Communicating Upwards (Boards, Directors, Head Coaches)

Module 4
Emotional Intelligence & Team Dynamics

  1. Emotional Intelligence in High Performance Teams

  2. Reading People, Motivations & Behavioural Patterns

  3. Understanding Team Dynamics & Cultural Forces

  4. Managing Conflict & Challenging Personalities

  5. Building a High Performance, Cohesive Team Environment

  6. Leading with Empathy Without Losing Authority

Module 5
Influence, Negotiation & Stakeholder Management

  1. Understanding Stakeholder Power & Influence

  2. Building Credibility as an Emerging Leader

  3. Influence Techniques for High Performance Sports

  4. Negotiation Techniques for Player Return, Resources & Staff Roles

  5. Managing Upwards: Working with Head Coaches & Directors

  6. Handling Politics, Resistance & Organisational Barriers

Module 6
Change Management & Project Leadership

  1. Why Change Fails in High Performance Sport

  2. Leading Change: A Practical Framework for Practitioners

  3. Project Management Essentials for Performance Leaders

  4. Creating Buy In Across Staff & Coaches

  5. Implementing New Systems, Processes & Performance Models

  6. Measuring Impact & Long Term Change

Who Is This For?

This course is for you if you are:

  • A Strength & Conditioning Coach, Physio, Sport Scientist, Performance Analyst or support practitioner

  • Working in professional sport or aiming to

  • Looking to step into Head of Department, Head of Performance, Head Coach or leadership roles

  • Wanting more influence, confidence and clarity in your leadership journey

What You Will Walk Away With

  • A clear leadership identity

  • Confidence speaking up and influencing decisions

  • The ability to manage staff, systems and operations

  • Communication tools used by elite leaders

  • Department-level thinking and strategy

  • A portfolio of work demonstrating your leadership capability

  • A step-by-step plan for your transition into leadership roles

Claim Your Spot Now

WE ARE SOLD OUT.PLEASE SIGN UP TO THE WAITLIST TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE NEXT AVAILABLE COHORT

Platinum £1295

Save £1000 (Includes Early Bird Pricing)
Most Popular – Best for Rapid Career Progression

  • Full Access to all online modules & resources

  • Full Access to all live sessions & recordings

  • 6 x 1:1 Coaching Sessions with Tom (£1,500 value)

Personalised leadership development, career strategy and tailored support to accelerate your progression.

SOLD OUT

Standard £795

  • Full Access to all online modules & resources

  • Full Access to all live sessions & recordings

Perfect if you want the full curriculum and community support without the 1:1 coaching element.

SOLD OUT

Early Bird £595

Save £200 — Ends 24 December 2026

Identical to the Standard package, offered at a limited-time discount for early action.

  • Full Access to all online modules & resources

  • Full Access to all live sessions & recordings

SOLD OUT

FAQ's

Q - Do I need leadership experience?
A - No. The course is designed for practitioners stepping into leadership for the first time.Q - What if I can’t attend a live webinar?
A - All webinars are recorded and available within 24 hours.Q - How much time does it take each week?
A - 1–2 hours per week for self-study + the optional 60-minute webinar every two weeks.Q - Is this relevant across all sports?
A - Yes — the content is designed for performance staff across any professional sporting environment.

Further Information:

Please contact me directly if you need any of the following

  • Bespoke 121 Coaching on your personal leadership development

  • Multiple purchases for your staff CPD or 'in house' delivery

  • If you have any questions at all about Practitioner to Leader