PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This Lead Physiotherapist is responsible for delivering world-class physiotherapy and rehabilitation support to GIANTS Netball SSN and Academy athletes.  By helping optimise player health and maximising training and match availability, the position plays a key role in helping athletes perform at their best and in supporting coaches and high-performance staff to prepare the team for elite competitions.

Reporting to: GIANTS Netball Head of Performance

Type: Fixed Term Contract (Full Time During Season + Part Time Off Season)

NETBALL NSW OVERVIEW 

Netball NSW is a not-for-profit organisation, governed by a Board of Directors and managed by professional staff. Netball NSW is the peak state sporting organisation responsible for the governance, development, promotion and administration of netball throughout New South Wales and is a member organisation of Netball Australia. 

Netball NSW provides the framework for approximately 115,000 registered members and over 150,000 total participants to enjoy netball at all levels throughout New South Wales. Our sport continues to grow both on and off the court and much of this success can be attributed to the wide range of programs, facilities and services Netball NSW offers to its members and participants - from the grassroots level through to the elite, professional level.

Netball NSW has a proud history of elite netball teams and athletes’ performances in national and international competition. Over 300 athletes have proudly represented NSW in elite competition since the inception of the national netball league in 1997 and then the ANZ Championship.  2017 saw the introduction of the Suncorp Super Netball, the top Australian domestic competition which includes two NSW elite teams, the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.

GIANTS Netball Overview

Suncorp Super Netball began a new chapter in Australian Netball history in 2017, and with it the introduction of GIANTS Netball.

Owned and operated by Netball NSW, in a strategic alliance with GWS GIANTS AFL, GIANTS Netball was formed on the basis of providing more opportunities for the 115,000 registered Members in NSW, including: to represent their State and club at Netball’s highest domestic level; and provide opportunities for fans and members to watch the world’s best netballers live in action.

GIANTS Netball has achieved considerable success for a club so young. Apart from our success on court, one of the things that sets us apart is the number of homegrown NSW players, more than 80% of our team roster has come through the Netball NSW pathway.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Practical & Clinical 

• Attendance at all identified training sessions and home and away matches as required, including pre-season games
• Provide comprehensive match-day preparation for athletes, including any strapping and treatment as needed.
• Initiate and oversee initial post-injury rehabilitation procedures in consultation with the Team Doctor, ensuring timely and appropriate intervention
• Collaborate with Team Doctor and Head of Performance on Return-to-Play criteria and processes
• Develop processes and initiatives that aim to reduce injury risk and maximise player availability for training and matches
• Deliver annual physiotherapy screenings for all athletes to inform proactive injury prevention and performance planning

Planning and Administration 

• Work together with Head of Performance to ensure all SSN & Academy training sessions and games have the appropriate physiotherapy coverage
• Maintain comprehensive clinical documentation for all athlete treatments within the Athlete Management System (AMS).
• Attend and actively contribute to regular planning and medical meetings with relevant HP staff regarding management of players
• Purchasing and management of physiotherapy resources, ensuring all essential equipment is available, functional, and within budget.
• Uphold a professional clinical environment, maintaining the physiotherapy space to high standards of cleanliness and operational readiness.

Communication and liaison

• Collaborate closely with the Team Doctor on all medical management decisions to ensure alignment and continuity of athlete care.
• Coordinate and confirm medical appointments in consultation with the Team Doctor, including surgeons, podiatrists, specialists, and radiologists.
• Attend specialist appointments with players as required to support the management of injuries and rehabilitation plans.
• Provide clear and timely communication to the Head Coach and Head of Performance regarding athlete injuries, rehabilitation progress, and return-to-play timelines.
• Liaise with medical and physiotherapy service providers for representative programs (e.g., Origin Diamonds, Silver Ferns) to ensure consistency of care and information sharing.
• Communicate effectively with key stakeholders across GIANTS Netball and the broader Netball ecosystem, including NA, NNSW and NSW Premier League Clubs

Relationships

Build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of key stakeholders to support integrated athlete care and performance outcomes, including:

• Athletes
• Head of Performance
• Coaching staff
• Team Doctor
• Other GIANTS Netball HP staff
• Netball Australia High Performance staff, Netball NSW & GWS AFL/W High Performance staff

General

• Abide by, promote and actively enforce Netball NSW policies. 
• Actively participate and be part of the Netball NSW Team.
• Any other duties as requested by the Head of Performance or Executive General Manager – GIANTS Netball  
   

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates for the position will require a range of personal and professional skills including:

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist through completion of a Post Graduate Master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy or Experiential Titling Pathway
• Current full registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a physiotherapist
• 5+ years’ experience working within elite high-performance sport
• Demonstrated experience and success working in integrated multi-disciplinary high performance elite sport programs
• Understanding of the physical demands of Elite Netball (desired)
• Experience working with Female Athletes (desired)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification

Knowledge and skills

• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and balance multiple priorities within a dynamic high-performance environment.
• Capacity to meet after-hours and travel requirements associated with elite-level sport.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, including self-reflection and a proactive approach to improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, to support collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to build trust-based relationships with athletes, coaches, and key stakeholders to enhance performance outcomes. 

Personal attributes

• Team-first mindset, contributing positively to a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, fostering trust and respect across all levels of the organisation and broader Netball ecosystem.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving and daily challenges.
• Commitment to service excellence, maintaining a strong athlete and stakeholder focus.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a safe environment for all participants.
• Professional, motivated, and passionate
• Alignment with and commitment to the values of Netball NSW.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

As determined and agreed with the GIANTS Netball Head of Performance and GIANTS Netball Head Coach

Working With Children Check (WWCC) 

In accordance with Child Protection legislation candidates will be required to provide a paid Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance number for verification by Netball NSW prior to employment at their own cost.  

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Netball NSW is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally diverse backgrounds; young people; older workers; people with disabilities; the LGBTQIA+ community; and other under-represented groups.

CHILD SAFE ORGANISATION

Please note: Netball NSW is committed to protecting Children from harm. We require all applicants that will work with children to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment. All candidates must have a valid Working with Children Check.