Introduction

The GIANTS are a club like no other.

Proudly representing Western Sydney and Canberra, we're bold in our ambitions, relentless in our pursuit of success and committed to creating a lasting impact on and off the field.

Our AFL and AFLW teams compete with courage, determination, and an unmistakable GIANTS spirit. Our players, coaches and staff challenge expectations, pursue growth and strive to perform at the highest level, while creating unforgettable moments for our members and fans.

Beyond football, we are deeply connected to the communities we represent. Through meaningful partnerships, community programs, and genuine engagement, we create opportunities for people to thrive and communities to grow.

Based at our elite training facility in Sydney Olympic Park, the GIANTS bring together passionate and talented people who share a commitment to teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether on the field, in the office or in the community, every member of our team plays a role in shaping the future of our club.

At the heart of our brand is the belief that there's a GIANT in all of us. By living our values and commitments, we will deliver on our purpose: to create a club like no other that provides outstanding family entertainment, wins premierships, and enriches the lives of people across Western Sydney, Canberra, and the broader community.

Position Purpose

The Indigenous Player Development Manager (IPDM) is responsible for facilitating the holistic development of all First Nations players in the Club’s AFL and AFLW playing list. The IPDM role exists to support Indigenous players with their non-athletic and off-field endeavours and to facilitate the cultural, vocational, educational, health, and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) needs of all First Nations players. The role will deliver on the Club’s player development and wellbeing strategy to promote the health and wellbeing of its Indigenous players. 

The IDPM plays a critical role in the Club’s cultural safety and capability. The role will promote an Indigenous players’ voice in club decision-making and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure culturally appropriate support systems and Indigenous cultural practices are in place to meet the holistic needs of all Fist Nations players. 

The role will engage with a range of internal and external multidisciplinary providers and support personnel to advocate for, coordinate and facilitate the holistic needs of First Nations players. Hence the IPDM will need excellent skills in cultural competence in order to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with First Nations players, and other key stakeholders including: club PDMs, club Doctors, club psychologists, coaches, management and staff. External key relationships that will ensure the success of the role include external health, vocational and educational providers, partners, kinship and family networks, elders, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) practitioners, and player agents.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Facilitate the holistic development of all First Nations players in the Club’s AFL and AFLW playing list.
• Advocate, facilitate and support Indigenous players with their non-athletic and off-field endeavours, including, but not limited to, their cultural, vocational, educational, health, and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) needs.
• Promote Indigenous players’ voice in club decision-making.
• Contribute to practices that develop the cultural capability, competence and safety in th club (e.g. policies, training, advocacy; cultural leadership etc).
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the club’s player development and wellbeing strategy, with particular focus on the cultural, social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous players.
• Advocate, facilitate and support Indigenous players’ holistic needs, ensuring culturally appropriate support systems and Indigenous cultural practices are upheld (e.g. culturally important practices are celebrated or recognised. Funerals, sorry business, cultural leave etc. are upheld).
• Work closely with the AFL and AFLPA to align development opportunities for Indigenous players (i.e. career, vocational and education programs, scholarships, traineeships etc.).
• Seek opportunities to connect with industry and community networks to maximise growth and development.
• Actively participate in the industry community of practice with other Club Indigenous Player Development Managers to advance the Industry in cross-cultural capability.
• Participate in AFL training and leadership opportunities.
• Work closely with the club to support understanding of cross-cultural needs.
• Provide support to the welfare and player excellence team across AFL, AFLW and VFL.
• Act as the welfare contact for VFL listed players to support housing, relocation, work opportunities and welfare issues.
• Act as the primary welfare contact for the VFL program on match days home and away and travel with the team.

Key Performance Indicators

• All Indigenous players have a holistic Individual Development and Wellbeing Plan or equivalent.
• All Indigenous players are engaged in educational, vocational, personal, career or industry, development activities.
• A whole of club player development and wellbeing strategy to promote the health and wellbeing of Indigenous players, is developed and informed by the AFL Industry Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
• Contribute and support the practices and policies that promote inclusive and culturally safe environments.
• Delivery of standard reports to AFL as required.
• Effective engagement and coordination of player needs with multidisciplinary providers and stakeholders.
• Establish strong relationships with the AFL club to support the understanding of cultural needs and effective development of each player and their cross-cultural capabilities.

Skills and Knowledge

• Embody cultural competence and a deep understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to promote an Indigenous community voice lead practices and policies that promote inclusive and culturally safe environments.
• Be capable in identifying, responding and communicating the holistic needs of Indigenous Australians to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in high-performance teams, elite sporting environments or equivalent.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a proven track record in building relationships and working collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• The ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Indigenous Australians.
• Trustworthy and reliable with a proven commitment to ethical behaviour, particularly in relation to maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience in developing and implementing culturally competent practices in workplaces or teams.
• Experience in advocacy for Indigenous Australians both with internal and external stakeholders to influence decision-making.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the delivery of cultural safety, and/or social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) initiatives.
• The Club recognises that Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders in the AFL industry may be underrepresented and have specific needs. In order to achieve substantive equality, and recognising that the primary purpose of the role is to meet the needs and promote the welfare and wellbeing of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players, it is a requirement of this position that the candidate:
  • be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
  • have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • have an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people;
  • has completed or is committed to completing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training;
  • has completed or is committed to completing AFLPA Executive Certificate in Player Development;
  • has completed or is committed to completing a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare practice, education support, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), education, behavioural/ social science or psychology or related field.

The Club considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).