The AFL is Australia’s premier sporting organisation supporting two constantly evolving national competitions, AFL and AFLW. Our purpose is to progress the game, so everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

We have a strong workforce presence in most States and Territories of Australia including Northern Territory, QLD, NSW / ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.

As the AFL/ AFLW competitions continue to grow and evolve at both the elite and community levels, we are focused on ensuring we attract and retain great people in both permanent and casual roles at all levels and within all areas of our industry.

Importantly, we aim to reflect the communities where our game is played by recruiting locally where possible to strengthen our connection to the ‘grassroots’ of our game. We are also fortunate to have hundreds of passionate volunteers within our industry, offering their time and expertise to help grow our game.

The AFL's purchase of Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Melbourne, further diversifies our workforce with more than 1000 casual employees to make every moment matter for our fans and customers.

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game – from grassroots to elite. Together, we put on the game, deliver important events, communicate with our fans, run community programs, develop coaches and umpires, collaborate with partners, delight members, support clubs and so much more. While our roles may vary, we are all united by a common goal, to progress the game so that everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of both the AFL and the communities in which we operate. Our game is for everyone, and we strive to be a workplace for everyone.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

THE ROLE – Coates Talent League, Regional Development Coach (Boys)

The Regional Development Coach (RDC) is primarily responsible for leading the development of talented young footballers (predominantly between 15 and 19 years of age) and other coaches in a well-balanced talent development environment in line with the Victorian Talent Development Philosophy. This includes playing a lead role in setting, driving and maintaining a positive, safe and supportive development program culture.

The RDC will plan, manage and lead a talented player pathway program that supports the development and progression of well prepared (physically, emotionally, socially, game play, skills, etc.) young athletes ready for AFL and AFLW football as well as those players that transition into State League and/or community football competitions after their talent pathway experience. A key objective of the role is to ensure optimal individual development of both the male and female athletes who participate in the Victorian Talent Pathway.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF (Tasks/ Responsibilities)

Development Coaching

The RDC is the lead coach of the AFL’s talent pathway program in the region with the prime responsibility to develop talented young footballers to the maximum of their ability. Coaching actions and behaviors are expected to align with the Victorian Talent Pathway philosophy and the purpose of the Coates Talent League.

To achieve their potential, players should be coached to develop their:

• On field skills such as fundamentals, decision making, physical attributes, training standards, etc.
• Off field skills including team and personal values, resilience, leadership, wellbeing strategies, etc.

The RDC will establish and maintain an environment that:

• Ensures a safe, inclusive, respectful and enjoyable (fun) environment for all those involved in the program – staff and athletes alike.
• Focuses on individual player development rather than team success, aided by provision of Individual Player Development Plans on Smartabase.
• Provides an integrated program between girls and boys with head coaches regularly cross pollinating in terms of presence at training sessions, knowledge sharing and improvement feedback in both programs.
• Monitors games played by an individual player through the entire season, so they aren’t being exposed to the risk of overuse injuries and fatigue.
• Facilitates the provision of regular player feedback, vision edits, game/stats analysis and reporting in line with the required AFL Talent Pathway standards utilising the preferred online platforms including Smartabase, Hudl and Sportscode.
• Identifies and develops athletes from diverse backgrounds by creating a culturally safe high-performance environment for all.
• Considers the players’ long-term participation in football at a variety of levels.
• Promotes and provides a holistic approach to the players’ life in accordance with the AFL Talent pathway overarching development philosophy of “better people, better players”.

Talent Identification and Selection

Collaborate with the Regional Talent Operation Leads and respective Vic Talent Pathways Manager to identify talented players within the region including those from diverse backgrounds or from other sports. This will involve liaising with different stakeholders including AFL/AFLW Recruiters, State Academy programs, the Diversity talent team and local community football leagues and schools.

Regional Coach Development

The RDC will contribute to the Coach Development program in the region with a particular emphasis on supporting community and school coaches. This will be achieved through:

• Partnering with the AFL Coaching team play a lead role in educating and upskilling community and school coaches within the region.
• The design and implementation of innovative methods to improve coaching within the regions with an emphasis on player development, fundamentals and decision making.
• Provision of leadership coach developer program for coaches within the region with a focus on ongoing review, education, support and development.

Player Welfare and Management

• Work with Wellbeing Coordinators to ensure players are well supported during their time in the program.
• Monitor wellness reports and provides wellbeing support for players who have a range of priorities they must juggle at this important time in their lives.

Leadership

• Lead, set, drive and maintain a positive, safe and inclusive culture within the region.
• Lead and manage the region Assistant/Support Coaches so that the recruitment, induction, retention, and performance of these staff members all contribute positively to the region talent program including the provision of development opportunities and regular performance reviews.
• Play a key role in ensuring compliance with Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and procedures are adhered to (eg: WWCC - required for all in the program).
• Support and contribute to the integration of both girls and boys programs in the region.

Create Strong Links with Community

Support the Talent Operations Lead to link with local community clubs, leagues and schools.

Innovative & Aspirational

• Strive for best pratice by continually planning, reviewing, and aiming to improve the program through sharing ideas with other regions and staying up to date on national and global trends or best pratice in talent development environments.
• Commit to personal development by seeking opportunities and visiting AFL/AFLW Clubs to keep up to date with industry coaching standards and game trends.
• Identify and support coaches within their region who have the potential to be future coaches within the Victorian Talent Pathway

Other

• Ensure there is a weekly meeting (at least) of the region leadership group – RDC’s, Talent Lead, Wellbeing Coordinator and the Admin and Operations Coordinator to manage, monitor and plan the immediate and future program activities.
• Contribute to the various Victorian State Academy programs.
• Through your appearance, conduct and actions display and promote a positive image of the AFL’s talent pathway program including all the people who are involved or contribute to the program.
• Develop and maintain productive and positive relationships with stakeholders so that the talent program objectives can be achieved.

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER (Core Competencies)

• Minimum Level 2 AFL Coaching Accreditation or ability to obtain
• Experience in working with young people
• Demonstrated personal initiative and ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Well-developed communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and presentation skills
• Excellent IT skills when working with vision and presentation of coaching strategies
• Operational knowledge / skills of applications and relevant player performance analysis software and vision editing programs such as Champion Data, Sportscode, Hudl and Smartabase
• Ability to teach the latest coaching methods including IT and software programs that assist in this process
• A coaching philosophy, ethics and attitude that represents and is aligned to that of the Victorian Talent Pathway philosophy and purpose of the Coates Talent League
• Sound technical knowledge and training methods suitable for the group of players, in-line with AFL/AFLW Club Development Programs.
• Sound technical knowledge and game styles and strategies suitable for the group of players.
• Exposure to talented player programs as well as a strong understanding and knowledge of talented footballer identification and development theories and practice
• Demonstrated leadership skills, ability to formulate and communicate sequential training and game plans along with the ability to identify, motivate and nurture young talented athletes
• Capacity to develop and sustain productive relationships with all stakeholders, particularly with other talent pathway coaches and operational leads, high performance & medical staff, players, their parents and schools
• Ability to influence stakeholders to work together to achieve talented player program objectives
• Capacity to simultaneously manage a number of priorities and programs at the same time
• Current Victorian Driver License and a current Working with Children Check

Desirable

• Previous successful coaching experience with talented and/or elite athletes
• Demonstrated knowledge of talent development programs in football or other sports

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisation

We are proudly a WORK180 endorsed employer for women, to see the great benefits that the AFL offers, please visit https://work180.com/en-au/for-women/employer/afl

THE PERKS

• Play The Day Your Way – a flexible approach to your working life
• My Development – lean into the AFL’s My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring, and formal learning
• Play Well – access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace
• My Benefits – with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts
• AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

Applications Close: 26 September 2023