Paddle Australia (PA) is the National Sports Organisation (NSO) responsible for the management, coordination, development and promotion of paddling in Australia. PA is recognised by the Federal Government and represents the interests of its members to government and the public.

PA is committed to the provision of a high standard of competition, safety and opportunity for paddling participation in Australia. This includes the development and delivery of the successful Canoe Slalom and Canoe Sprint Olympic and Paralympic programs and the six non-Olympic disciplines (Canoe Polo, Freestyle, Marathon, Ocean Racing, Wildwater and SUP), as well as recreational paddling.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

To provide world class coaching, technical direction and a quality performance environment to identified national canoe slalom athletes, with a particular focus on optimising performances of these athletes at international benchmark events (World Championships and Olympic Games).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Coaching

• Providing identified nationally categorised athletes with quality coaching services, technical direction and performance culture to maximise their potential in the daily training environments and during domestic and international camps and competitions.
• Developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating high quality athlete plans that align to the national program direction and success profiles for world class athletes.
• Development and implementation of effective individual athlete performance plans (IAPPs), including ongoing monitoring and reporting against performance targets and goals utilising the Athlete Monitoring System (AMS).
• Assist with the provision of coaching services to nationally identified development athletes during national development squad camps and competitions.
• Periodised planning and service planning that is informed by individual athlete plans, competition pathways and available resources / expertise.
• Planning for and managing the effective integration of quality performance support services that have a measurable impact on athlete performances.
• Providing ongoing improvement, monitoring and evaluation of athlete performance in skills, technique, physical preparation and psychological preparation for competition.
• Supporting holistic development for athletes as individuals.
• Identification and integration of appropriate performance support services to assist athlete development and performance.
• Collaborating, interacting and learning from other coaches (in particular the Senior Slalom and Pathway Coaches) and Performance Support Staff to assist with ongoing personal and professional development.

Program Management

• As a member of the national coaching team, promote and assist the implementation of the key strategic priorities of the High Performance (HP) program.
• Provide mentoring, technical direction and support to identified pathway coach(es), within the daily training environment and during national and international competitions.
• Working collaboratively with the other PA Slalom Coaches, provide support for the design and delivery of a world class daily training environment for identified canoe slalom athletes with the goal of ensuring continual improvement and quality performances at international benchmark events.
• Proactively engage with and maintain effective communication and collaboration with other PA Slalom Coaches and Performance Support Staff to ensure clarity of purpose, delivery of performance outcomes, provision of feedback and direction for the canoe slalom program.
• Provide advice and recommendations to selection panels regarding selection to squads and national teams.
• Liaising, advising and collaborating with PA staff and Pathway Coaches.
• Assist with the planning and operation of domestic and international tours, camps and competitions.
• Ongoing regular liaison, communication and recognition between program partners, stakeholders, PA management, the AIS and the national network on program performance and challenges.

General

• Partner with and work effectively and collaborative across PA to achieve organisational goals, targets and objectives.
• Provide regular updates to the National Performance Director and Performance Operations Manager – Slalom on progress and/or issues, as required.
• Proactively plan, manage, coordinate, track and run assigned tasks.
• Attend and participate in meetings and events as required.
• Uphold and foster a culture of high performance, excellence and continuous improvement within PA.
• Conduct thorough checking of work by others and self-checking of information and documentation.
• Ensuring documentation kept up to date and in good order.
• Undertake other reasonable tasks as delegated by Performance Operations Manager – Slalom and Slalom Head Coach
• Perform general office duties as required.
• Adopt continuous learning and improvement processes in all aspects of the position.
• Implement, participate and promote PA national program initiatives, protocols, values, policies, processes and procedures.

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• Relevant Coaching Accreditation

Experience/Skill Level Required

• Demonstrated experience in coaching performance athletes at an international level (i.e. coached at World Championship level or can demonstrate clear progression towards this level) or equivalent.
• High level of technical knowledge of the sport of canoe slalom, preferably with a strong understanding of international benchmark performances and trends.
• A thorough demonstrated understanding of coach and athlete development principles.
• An understanding of how to effectively integrate performance support services into the DTE for a performance benefit.
• Demonstrated experience in working with and successfully preparing national level athletes for national and international success.
• A demonstrated experience with working in high performance environments, successfully developing potential developing athletes into senior elite performers.
• Experience in developing and executing long-term performance plans, competition plans and individual athlete plans, to guide development and continual improvement of athletes.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully influence high performance individuals to achieve elite outcomes and deliver superior levels of service, across multiple teams, in an unpredictable and challenging environment.
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and databases.
• A minimum of 3 years in a national coaching position or equivalent.

For more information refer to the attachment.