The VFL/VFLW Doctor is primarily responsible for overseeing the health and wellbeing of VFL and VFLW players, ensuring their safe and effective return to play following injury, and providing expert medical care across all aspects of their performance and health.
This role supports VFL/VFLW players with training as well as gameday health, fitness and injury management. The role will assume the responsibility within the team structure for contributing to medical decisions that affect the players’ safe participation and will integrate medical expertise with other health care providers, including medical specialist, fitness staff and allied health professionals.
The VFL/VFLW Doctor will be employed as an Independent Contractor on a Medical Services Agreement and as an AFL official, with a requirement to adhere to all AFL policies.
Key Responsibilities
Undertake player injury consultations inclusive of injury assessment, diagnosis and intervention or relevant referral if required, reporting findings and recommendations to Senior Coach and Head of High Performance
Integrate medical expertise with other health care providers, including medical specialists, high performance staff and allied health professionals.
Assume the responsibility within the team structure for making medical decisions that affect the players’ safe participation.
Principally determine when a player is ready to begin a fitness program, join a team or return to play following an injury or illness.
Organise appointments for medical imaging services, specialist opinions and other medical investigations and deliver reports on outcomes on each case.
Conduct and attend meetings with all associated staff (allied, high performance, coaching, etc.) to continually monitor the health and fitness of all players on the list. Reports to be prepared in conjunction with medical and conditioning staff for dissemination to coaching staff and others.
Monitor the rehabilitation programs as devised by the high-performance staff and other allied health professionals at the Club.
Provide for proper document and medical record keeping, including keeping the club’s injury management system up to date as required by the club and AFL.
Provide for the medical wellbeing of each player as required.
Oversee assessment, diagnosis and treatment with respect to player health and injury management.
Advise on injury prognosis and performance impact and collaborate on rehabilitation plans.
Collaborate with AFL Medical staff to optimise player health and performance outcomes.
Experience, Skills and Attributes
Medical degree is essential with postgraduate experience in the management of sports injuries within elite sporting teams.
In-depth knowledge of Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Appropriate medical and general liability insurance.
Current AHPRA registration to be maintained throughout employment.
Experience in an elite sporting environment, ideally AFL.
Working knowledge of AFL Policies and Procedures (e.g., Concussion Management Guidelines).
A current National Police Clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
Current driver’s licence.
Ability to develop connection and professional relationships with VFL/VFLW players.
Strong communication skills including prompt and user appropriate communication on player availability, injuries, management and rehabilitation planning.
Thorough understanding of sports culture.
Proven ability to display sound judgment.
Strong team skills with the ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and be a good team player.
Exceptional organisational and planning skills.
Proficient at assuming responsibility, and capable of working unsupervised and being professionally accountable.
