ABOUT NETBALL QUEENSLAND

Netball Queensland (NQ) is the peak state sporting organisation responsible for the governance, development, promotion and administration of netball throughout Queensland. 

We take seriously our position as custodians of netball in Queensland and prioritise our responsibility to promote inclusion, gender equality and diversity. We are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment through transitioning diversity, equity and inclusion from a function to a practice.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan launched in April 2022 has formalised our commitment to reconciliation by embedding a framework to turn our intentions into practical, meaningful actions and outcomes. 

At NQ our purpose is to enrich lives through netball, and we aspire to be the most played and supported sport in Queensland. Our 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan defines what ‘winning’ means for our organisation and outlines the choices that will make it happen and create value. 

The incredible Nissan Arena is the home to our history-making Queensland Firebirds netball team as well as NQ's operations and delivery of community sport and major events. 

At NQ our values and behaviours are important to our cultural identity and where we grow, play, inspire and lead our great game of netball. 

As we strive for our Queensland Firebirds to be Queensland’s favourite sporting team and work to build thriving netball communities, we know that we must assemble the right team. A career at NQ represents a unique opportunity to succeed in a high-performance environment while enjoying a flexible work culture and directly contributing to the sustainability of netball in Queensland.

Further information on Netball Queensland, Nissan Arena and the Queensland Firebirds can be found at netballq.org.au, nissanarena.com.au, and firebirds.net.au.

This is a part-time (0.5 / 19hpw) role with flexibility on work pattern. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Athlete Development and Wellbeing Manager exists to develop personal leadership, accountability and resilience capabilities within the Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds professional and aspiring professional playing group.  The role will implement the Netball Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AW&E) Framework to support professional and aspiring professional athletes as they navigate high performance environments, empowering them to find a balance between their wellbeing, engagement in activities outside of training and competition, and the requirements of elite sport.

 Effective delivery of the AW&E framework requires sophisticated understandings; both of an athlete’s individual needs and the HP environment in which they operate.

The Athlete Development & Wellbeing Manager is proactive in presenting athletes with opportunities for personal and professional development and meaningful community engagement initiatives.  This role also facilitates the connections of associated services designed to improve players ability to effectively navigate the critical transition points throughout and beyond their sporting career. 

The capacity to form authentic interpersonal connections stands at the heart of the AW&E provider role. It is therefore incumbent upon this role to foster positive relationships, demonstrate uncompromising standards of respectful and ethical behaviour, and ensure procedural transparency.

The successful delivery of this role will be informed by the AIS Best Practice Principles for AW&E Providers and the AIS AWE Induction Guide.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Athlete Development and Wellbeing Manager will be responsible for:

Individual Development Planning

• Conduct one-on-one sessions to assess individual needs, aspirations and development goals.
• Co-design personalised development plans that align with career goals, life stages and wellbeing.

Program Delivery

• Design and deliver workshops or sessions on topics such as mental wellbeing, leadership, financial literacy, identity, communication and resilience.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts or external providers as needed.

Monitoring and Support

• Provide regular follow-ups and progress checks for individuals on their development journey.
• Offer support during key life transitions (e.g. injury, relocation, study/career change).
• Work with players new to Brisbane to access accommodation and relevant services for them and their immediate family.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with coaches and other staff to align personal development with team, club and organisational objectives.
• Liaise with external agencies, mentors, and education providers to facilitate opportunities.

Reporting and Evaluation

• Track participation and outcomes using qualitative and quantitative measures.
• Provide regular reports on program impact, trends, and areas for improvement.

Netball Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AW&E) Framework

• Implement the Netball Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AW&E) Framework to support professional and aspiring professional athletes.
• Demonstrate sophisticated understanding both of an athlete’s individual needs and the HP environment in which they operate

Safety

• Demonstrate and support a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and be visible in your commitment to a safe and respectful workplace.  This includes:

• Setting clear expectations.
• Role modelling respectful behaviour.
• Fostering a culture that empowers people to speak up.
• Holding people accountable for actions

ABOUT YOU

The Athlete Development & Wellbeing Manager requires the following:

Skills & Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in leadership or management role
• Demonstrated experience to develop, plan and deliver athlete individualised strategies and activities to address the identified wellbeing, career, personal and professional development needs of players.
• Demonstrated high level experience implementing case management or triage processes to ensure appropriate care and referral are accessible;
• Demonstrated high level experience guiding and supporting people through various transition, educational and vocational pathways;
• Demonstrated experience working within a multi-disciplinary team within a high-performance environment and maintaining strict confidentiality;
• Proven experience building and leveraging relationships to influence and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, maintain and grow partnerships to provide opportunities for athletes to engage and integrate with activities outside training and competition;
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Demonstrated experience in public speaking, facilitating, workshop delivery.
• Direct experience in operating in elite, high-performance sporting teams and/or environments

Knowledge:

• Understanding of international and national trends in leadership, resilience, mental health and wellbeing
• Contemporary knowledge of issues impacting leadership, resilience, mental health and wellbeing in high performance sport
• Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop an understanding of, the functional areas within Netball and how they operate and interact with each other
• Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop an understanding of, Netball’s current operating environment and how to work within it, understanding of Netball language, some technical themes and evolution
• Knowledge of the AIS AWE approach
• Understanding of the structure and dynamics of Australian and international sport, including the interrelations at local, state and national level useful but not essential

Qualifications:

• Qualification in elite athlete wellbeing, social work, career development, education, counselling or similar is highly desirable.
• A working with children check and first aid certification will be essential for this role.

WHY WORK FOR NETBALL QUEENSLAND?

To achieve the vision of becoming a “world-class sports organisation respected for transforming lives through netball”, Netball Queensland must have the best and brightest team on the court. Your reward for stepping into this challenge will be:

• Culture: a high-performance culture defined by NQ’s values and accepted behaviours and norms
• Flexibility: a hybrid work model that recognises the benefits of working in the office and working remotely
• Family: 18 weeks paid primary carer leave and 4 weeks paid secondary carer leave
• Wellness: access to employee assistance programs and a fully equipped high-performance gym 
• Growth: professional development opportunities and a strong commitment to support your career growth
• Reward and Recognition: remuneration reviewed annually in line with our performance review and career discussion process, regular feedback provided and wins celebrated
• Facilities: modern office facilities in Nissan Arena
• Location: easily accessible location with onsite parking and public transport
• Benefits: tickets to events at Nissan Arena and sponsor discounts
• Social: social committee who organise quarterly all-team events