The Western Force is a professional rugby union team based in Western Australia competing in the elite Super Rugby Pacific and Super W competitions.

As an organisation, the Force has a proud history, having been formed in 2004 and making its Super Rugby debut in 2006 at its original home, Subiaco Oval. Backed by Tattarang, the club operates at the highest level of sporting professionalism in Western Australia and has a strong presence nationally and internationally. We are seeking a Dietitian who will be engaged on a permanant, full time basis. 

Under the direction of the Head of Physical Performance, this role will ensure best practice is implemented to maximise individual development and team performance in alignment with the organisational performance and development philosophy. 

The role will optimise player fuelling, recovery, health and physical development, with particular emphasis on achieving individual lean mass, body weight, body composition and performance objectives. 

Working as an integrated member of the Performance and Medical team, the position will lead the daily performance nutrition environment, individual athlete support and objective monitoring required to prepare players for the demands of professional and international rugby.

Key performance areas and responsibilities of the role:

Performance Nutrition Program 

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of a highly effective performance nutrition support program across the Western Force high-performance environment. 
• Develop, implement and track individual nutrition strategies to ensure players are prepared for the demands of elite professional rugby. 
• Develop nutrition strategies that directly support individual physical-development objectives, including lean mass development, strength and power outcomes, body composition and work capacity. 
• Provide continuous feedback to athletes on their progress and maintain records of all nutrition interventions. 
• Regularly monitor body weight, body composition and other relevant nutrition and health indicators, with appropriate interpretation and feedback provided to athletes and the multidisciplinary team. 

Daily Food & Fuelling Environment 

• Oversee menu design and delivery, meal scheduling and nutritional periodisation to support training and competition, domestically and internationally. 
• Lead the development of a purposeful daily food environment that supports training fuelling, recovery, physical development and positive performance nutrition behaviours. 
• Ensure food provision is appropriate in quality, quantity, timing and accessibility and is aligned with the demands of the training program. 
• Use the food environment as an opportunity to educate athletes and develop nutrition behaviours that can be sustained outside the club environment. 

Supplements 

• Oversee athlete use of supplements in accordance with the Rugby Australia Supplement Policy. 
• Ensure supplement prescription, provision and documentation comply with Rugby Australia, Sports Integrity Australia and relevant professional standards. 
• Operate in accordance with RA nutrition policies and standards relating to supplements, body composition and other relevant athlete-health areas. 

Data, Monitoring & Accountability 

• Maintain accurate and timely records within the approved Athlete Management System, including individual consultations, body composition assessments, supplement use and key nutrition interventions. 
• Use service-delivery and athlete data to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. 
• Contribute to agreed reporting of nutrition activity and performance outcomes. 

Budget & Operations 

• Manage nutrition budgets for the Western Force Men’s senior squad program. 
• Manage and oversee budgeting for Western Force Academy and Super Rugby Women programs and provide guidance to staff within these programs around external athlete nutrition support. 
• Work with nutrition logistics personnel and relevant operational staff to ensure efficient food, supplement and resource management. 
• Exercise appropriate fiscal responsibility while maintaining agreed performance nutrition standards

Research, Innovation & Practitioner Development 

• Contribute to Western Force & Rugby Australia applied research and service evaluation in collaboration with RA Research & Innovation and relevant university partners where appropriate. 
• Translate relevant contemporary research into practical improvements within the Western Force environment. 
• Contribute to supervision and/or assist in the supervision, integration and education of intern staff members. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate: 

• Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from a Dietitians Australia-accredited course, or an equivalent recognised qualification providing eligibility for Accredited Practising Dietitian status. 
• Accredited Sports Dietitian status with Sports Dietitians Australia, or recognised international equivalent. 
• ISAK accreditation or demonstrated capability to appropriately interpret body composition and physical-development data. 
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience providing performance nutrition services within elite or professional sport. 
• Ability to create individualised athlete nutrition plans that achieve physical development and performance goals. 
• Excellent teaching and communication skills to deliver effective, engaging and innovative nutrition education using a variety of methods to influence athletes and coaches. 
• Proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary high-performance team. 
• Ability to translate nutrition science into practical food preparation and eating strategies. 
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of sports supplements and ergogenic aids. 
• Demonstrated understanding of athlete health, injury rehabilitation and the role of nutrition within Return-to-Play. 
• Highly organised, proactive and capable of managing workload autonomously. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to seek and respond to feedback. 

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• IOC diploma in Sports Nutrition preferable 
• SDA advanced accredited sports dietitian status is preferable (or the equivalent international status) 
• Annual update of sports integrity Australia’s anti-doping fundamentals course 
• Experience overseeing nutritional support for athletes undertaking international travel, competition and training camps. 
• Experience of working specifically in rugby union or league codes. Understanding of rugby environment, physical demands and culture 
• Experience contributing to applied research or structured service evaluation.