About Us

The Perth Bears are Western Australia’s newest professional sporting club, set to join the NRL in 2027. As a high performance organisation, we’re committed to building strong foundations on and off the field to ensure long term success. Joining our team means being part of a rare start-up opportunity in elite sport, where your expertise will directly shape the future of rugby league in WA and help deliver a legacy for our community.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Elite Pathways Manager, the Pathways Coaching Coordinator will lead the implementation of the Perth Bears coaching philosophy and skill development framework across all pathway and academy programs.

You will work closely with coaches, athletes and high performance staff to create an aligned development environment that supports player progression from grassroots and academy programs through to representative and professional pathways.

This role requires a coach developer, educator, mentor, and leader who is comfortable driving consistent standards within a high performance environment.

What You’ll Do

• Embed and deliver the Perth Bears coaching philosophy and NRL-level skill framework across all pathways, academy, and junior representative programs.
• Support the delivery of high performance training environments that accelerate player development and readiness for elite competition.
• Mentor, develop, and evaluate pathway and academy coaches through structured coaching support, education programs, and performance reviews.
• Maintain alignment, consistency, and operational standards across the Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane pathway hubs.
• Collaborate with high performance, medical, and sports science teams to optimise athlete wellbeing, development, recovery, and performance outcomes.
• Lead talent identification activities and support player assessment, recruitment, and roster planning across Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland.
• Facilitate effective player transition pathways from academy programs into representative, NSW Cup, and senior high performance environments.
• Build strong relationships with schools, community clubs, and pathway stakeholders while ensuring compliance with Child Safe Standards, Sport Integrity Australia requirements, and NRL Integrity guidelines.

What We’re Looking For

• NRL Senior Club Coach Accreditation (Level 2 minimum) or equivalent.
• Tertiary qualification in Education, Teaching, Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, or a related field (desirable).
• Current Working with Children Check and National Police Clearance.
• Demonstrated experience in junior high performance coaching and talent development.
• Experience mentoring and developing coaches.
• Sound understanding of Child Safe Standards and Sport Integrity requirements.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Elite Coach Accreditation (Level 3) or working towards completion (desirable).
• Experience across rugby league pathways in Western Australia, New South Wales, and/or Queensland (desirable).
• Knowledge of athlete recovery, travel management, and performance support practices within elite sport (desirable).

Why Join Us?

This is more than a job. It’s a rare opportunity to help shape the future of the Perth Bears and build the foundations of a new NRL club. As part of a start-up environment, your ideas, expertise, and leadership will directly influence the development of our players, coaches, and performance pathways.

You’ll have the chance to build a best-in-class development system from the ground up and work within an ambitious, collaborative, and high performing culture. Most importantly, you’ll leave a legacy on rugby league in Western Australia and help shape the next generation of Perth Bears talent.

Working in a Start-Up Environment

The Perth Bears are in a critical foundation phase, building an elite pathway and high performance program from the ground up. This hands-on role requires someone who can establish and embed coaching frameworks, develop coaches, support player development, and drive consistent standards across multiple pathways.

Success in this role requires initiative, adaptability, and accountability. You will be equally comfortable shaping strategy and delivering on-field outcomes, thriving in a fast paced environment where building systems, solving problems, and creating long term impact are part of everyday work.