The Senior Coach is responsible for leading and managing the Club’s football performance program in alignment with its Strategic Plan and our values Community, Driven and Care, including:
Lead and deliver the Club’s football and coaching program to ensure a consistent, high-performance environment.
Lead, coach, develop and support players and staff to reach their potential, creating an environment that promotes growth, accountability, and wellbeing.
Work with the Football Manager to play a leading role in recruitment, retention and list management, ensuring the playing list supports sustained on-field performance and success.
Develop, implement and evolve a flexible game plan that maximises the strengths of the playing list.
Develop and foster culture of teamwork, accountability, continual improvement and expected standards to acheive team success. Represent and promote the Club and its brand with professionalism across the VFL competition and broader community.
Key Accountabilities:
Design and oversee pre-season, in-season and off-season training programs that integrate skill development, game plan structures, individual player development and athletic development.
Provide team and individual feedback using training and match vision, data and tactical analysis to continually enhance understanding and execution of the game plan.
Establish and maintain a football performance model that defines how the team prepares, trains and plays which is aligned with the Club’s football philosophy.
Analyse opposition teams and players through match vision and data, identifying trends, strengths and vulnerabilities to inform preparation, training and game strategy. Work collaboratively with the Football Manager to recruit, develop and support coaching and support staff who demonstrate professional standards, appropriate accreditation and alignment with the Club’s values.
Contribute to the development and delivery the Football & Performance strategy, identifying short, medium and long-term priorities across recruitment, talent pathways, list management, leadership programs and player and coach development to achieve sustained success.
Build and lead a high performing environment, that fosters strong relationships, challenges behaviours, and supports the wellbeing and development of players and staff.
Live, demonstrate and drive the Club’s values and behaviours both on and off the field.
Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with key stakeholders including but not limited to the Board, staff, volunteers, sponsors, AFL/VFL officials, media, members and supporters.
Act as an ambassador for the Club by supporting initiatives and events that promote the Club, strengthen membership, sponsorship and community engagement.
Contribute to Club communications by preparing material Board presentations, media engagement and other publications such as the annual report
Pursue ongoing professional development opportunities that enhance the coaching capability and contribute to the continual improvement of the football program.
Undertake other duties as reasonably directed to support the Club’s football and organisational objectives.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:
Mandatory:
Holds a current Level 2 (or Silver) accreditation under the AFL Coach Accreditation Framework, or equivalent, with a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in line with the AFL’s points-based system (new 2026).
Proficient IT and computer literacy skills, including experience using video analysis software (Sportscode is essential).
Experience in the AFL industry or a similar sporting organisation.
Demonstrated understanding of the VFL environment, including list dynamics of a standalone club.
Demonstrated experience coaching within a high-performance experience football environment (Senior or Assistant at AFL or State League level), with proven ability to lead, mentor and develop players and staff.
Strong ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with players, staff and stakeholders across all levels of the Club.
Proven ability to prioritise, plan and manage resources to achieve football program objectives.
Hold a current driver’s licence.
Desirable:
Holds or is actively pursuing Level 3 (or Gold) accrediation under the AFL Coach Accrediation Framework.
Experience contributing to talent pathway programs or developing emerging coaches and players.
Experience in program leadership, including planning, performance analysis and staff management within an elite or semi-elite football program.
