State and Academy Lead – Female

Rugby Victoria | Part-time | Bundoora, Victoria

Help shape the future of girls’ and women’s rugby in Victoria. Rugby Victoria is seeking a collaborative, player-centred leader to deliver its female State and Academy programs, develop coaches and support talented players as they progress through representative and senior pathways.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Pathways (Elite, Coaching and Referees), you will turn pathway strategy into coordinated, year-round programs with consistent coaching standards, transparent selection and strong athlete support. Your portfolio includes girls’ development and Academy programs, Nationals Girls Under 16 and Under 18, and ARS Senior Women, with connections to senior women’s rugby, Super W and national opportunities.

You will lead appointed female State and Academy Head Coaches and work closely with the Elite Pathways Coordinator, regional personnel, clubs, schools and families. The focus is on quality program delivery, inclusive access and meaningful player development.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an approved annual State and Academy plan, including calendars, venues, budgets and risk management.
• Apply the Victorian State Rugby Curriculum and connect regional hubs, development cohorts, VJRC girls’ U16/U18 competition, State squads and Academy activity.
• Coordinate State team preparation, Academy delivery and purposeful fixtures, working with the coordinator on administration and logistics.
• Support Head Coaches through consistent session standards, induction, mentoring and professional learning.
• Coordinate talent identification and evidence-based selection, with clear feedback, individual development plans and regular reviews.
• Support girls’ retention and safe progression into senior women’s rugby and approved professional and national development opportunities.
• Coordinate qualified performance and welfare providers, monitor player load and readiness, and uphold safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Build constructive relationships with clubs, schools, families, regions and pathway partners, and report on participation, progression, program quality and budget performance.

About you

You bring rugby player-development or high-performance program delivery experience, with the ability to lead coaches, coordinate programs and build trusted stakeholder relationships. You understand girls’ and women’s athlete development, inclusive coaching and youth-to-senior progression.

You will also demonstrate:

• Strong communication, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Sound planning, administration, budgeting and digital-system capability.
• The ability to apply a curriculum, interpret development evidence and provide constructive feedback.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, athlete welfare, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• An ethical, reliable and collaborative approach, with a player-centred mindset and consistent follow-through.

Qualifications and desirable experience

A current Police Check, Working with Children Check (WWCC) and Smart Rugby certification are mandatory.

Desirable attributes include experience in girls’ or women’s representative or Academy rugby, Victorian community and regional programs, and national or professional pathway transitions. Relevant coaching accreditation, such as World Rugby Level 3 or higher, or willingness to obtain it, and a sport, coaching or athlete-development qualification are also desirable, along with performance-analysis, athlete-monitoring and coach-mentoring experience.

Employment details

This is a part-time role based at La Trobe Sports Stadium, 100 Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, with attendance at approved training, match and regional venues. Agreed evening, weekend and travel commitments will form part of the working arrangement.

Contracted hours/FTE, remuneration, seasonal scheduling, travel expectations and peak-period coverage will be agreed before appointment. Delivery priorities will be managed within contracted hours and the approved budget.

The role leads the female player pathway; applicants of all genders are welcome.