PRECISION COACHING / YOUR COACH

James DouglasMSc, BSc

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Sport Scientist | Athletic Development Specialist

Stronger, faster and more resilient.

01 / YOUR COACH

Meet James Douglas

My passion for sport and performance has shaped both my professional career and personal pursuits. With over a decade of experience in strength and conditioning, athlete development, and sports science, I have worked across school, academy, and national performance environments, supporting athletes in reaching their full potential through evidence-based coaching and long-term development strategies.

I currently serve as Head of Strength & Conditioning at Belfast Royal Academy, where I lead the physical development of athletes across multiple sports. Prior to this, I worked as Head of Athlete Development for Athletics Northern Ireland and have held performance support roles within STATSports, independent schools, and rugby development pathways. These experiences have allowed me to work with athletes ranging from emerging talent to those competing at national and international level.

02 / YOUR COACH

My coaching philosophy

My coaching philosophy centres on developing robust, resilient, and high-performing athletes through intelligent programming and consistent habits. Whether working with youth athletes, rugby players, endurance competitors, or individuals pursuing personal fitness goals, my aim is to provide coaching that delivers sustainable results while fostering confidence, discipline, and a genuine enjoyment of training.

At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to helping individuals unlock their potential, build resilience, and achieve goals they may once have thought were beyond reach.

03 / YOUR COACH

Education

My academic background includes a Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sports Science. Alongside these qualifications, I have continually invested in professional development, holding UK Athletics coaching qualifications, UKSCA Speed & Plyometric Training certification, PLAE Perform Lab certification, and specialist training in long-term athlete development, speed development, and performance testing.

I am currently completing the International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (IPGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), further strengthening my ability to educate, coach, and develop young people within high-performance environments.

IPGCE with Qualified Teacher Status — in progress
MSc Strength & Conditioning
BSc (Hons) Sports Science

04 / YOUR COACH

Coaching & professional certifications

UK Athletics Coach
UKSCA Associate Member
UKSCA Speed & Plyometric Training Certification
PLAE Perform Lab Certification
Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Professional Development
Sportsmith Speed Conference Professional Development
Safeguarding Children in Sport
Emergency First Aid at Work
DBS Checked

05 / YOUR COACH

Areas of specialism

Strength & Conditioning
Athletic Development
Speed Development
Rugby Performance
Endurance Performance
Long-Term Athlete Development
Youth Athlete Development
Strength, Power & Plyometric Training
Sports Science Support
Performance Testing & Monitoring

06 / YOUR COACH

Beyond the coaching environment

Away from the coaching environment, I remain actively involved in sport and understand first-hand the dedication required to pursue ambitious performance goals. As a former semi-professional rugby player, sport has always been a significant part of my identity. More recently, endurance sport has become a particular passion, having completed one full IRONMAN and three IRONMAN 70.3 events, with another full IRONMAN scheduled for August 2027.

Outside of coaching and competition, I enjoy playing golf off a 6 handicap, surfing, hiking, and spending time outdoors with my two golden retrievers. These pursuits reinforce a belief that physical activity should not only enhance performance but also enrich quality of life.

BUILD YOUR POTENTIAL

Let’s talk strength & conditioning.

“Building stronger, faster, and more resilient athletes through evidence-based coaching, real-world experience, and a passion for long-term development.”

Talk to us about James