The Tweed Seagulls Pathways Manager is responsible for managing the club’s player pathway programs and ensuring a structured, sustainable progression for athletes from grassroots through to pre–High-Performance competition. This role oversees pathway planning, talent identification and recruitment, progression governance, and the coordination of coaching delivery across the pathway - ensuring program quality, alignment to club standards, player welfare, retention, and a positive pathway culture.

Working closely with Football Operations, coaching leadership, support staff, schools, and community clubs, the Pathways Manager ensures pathway delivery is effective, compliant, and aligned with the club’s football strategy and long-term development goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Talent Identification & Recruitment

• Lead with support from Team Coaches talent identification processes to ensure a high-quality pipeline of players.
• Coordinate recruitment and selection processes for pathway squads, ensuring fair, consistent, and transparent standards.
• Work with schools and community clubs to build and maintain pathways into the club.

2. Pathway Program Planning & Governance

• Develop, implement, and review pathway program calendars and operational plans (age groups, development stages, key dates).
• Ensure pathway programs (including Player Development Program) meet prescribed frameworks/requirements and align with club strategy and expectations.
• Conduct regular pathway reviews to assess effectiveness, progression outcomes, and participant retention.

3. Player Progression & Development 

• Oversee player progression through the pathway system and ensure appropriate advancement decisions based on development and readiness.
• Ensure individual player development/progression documentation is completed and reviewed appropriately (in conjunction with coaching and support staff).
• Identify emerging development needs and coordinate appropriate support pathways.

4. Coaching Oversight 

• Ensure pathway coaches deliver sessions that align with the club’s coaching philosophy, playing style, and pathway standards.
• Coordinate coach deployment and confirm coaching resource coverage across pathway squads.
• Support consistent coaching methodology by setting clear expectations for session structure, evaluation, feedback cycles, and player development focus areas.
• Monitor pathway coaching quality through scheduled check-ins, session observation (as agreed), and review of player progression outcomes.
• Assist with coach development by supporting mentoring frameworks and identifying coach education priorities in partnership with relevant coaching leadership (e.g., community catchment coach development initiatives).

5. Coach & Support Workforce Coordination

• Lead coach recruitment/selection processes for pathway roles as required.
• Work with relevant staff to ensure coaching and support staff availability, role clarity, and alignment to pathway timelines.

6. Player Welfare, Retention & Family Communication

• Ensure player welfare frameworks are embedded throughout the pathway system in conjunction with wellbeing and support staff.
• Manage pathway communication with parents/guardians and key stakeholders to keep families informed and engaged.
• Support retention initiatives that strengthen belonging, culture, and long-term athlete engagement.

7. Reporting & Administration

• Provide regular reporting to CEO on recruitment outcomes, program participation, progression indicators, and pathway effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate pathway documentation and records in prescribed club systems and reporting platforms.  (AMS)
• Attend relevant QRL, club meetings and pathway events as required.