Para Unit Coach

The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) is the peak high-performance sporting organisation in Western Australia. WAIS has a proud history of Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions who have accomplished amazing achievements within sport and in life. WAIS enables and supports WA athletes to achieve success on a national and international level. Our culture of Striving for Excellence is lived through the behaviours of athletes and staff that demonstrate Passion, Integrity, Quality and Teamwork.

WAIS is proudly supported by the State Government and is a member of the National Institute Network who collectively support National and State Sporting Organisations to deliver the National High Performance Sport Strategy.

Job Description

Para Unit Coach - Swimming at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS)

This is an exciting opportunity to lead talent ID and build a high performance Para swimming squad. The Para Unit Coach – Swimming will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to identify future Para swimmers, co-ordinate and facilitate talent identification sessions through a network of swimming clubs and help Para athletes in working towards achieving the performance standards to be categorised within Swimming Australia’s Athlete Categorisation Framework.

The Para Unit Coach – Swimming will work with the Para Unit Lead and Regional Engagement, associated team of coaches and performance support staff with the collective goal of identifying, coaching and developing talented Western Australian Para athletes in the sport of swimming.

The Para Unit Coach – Swimming will be responsible for the delivery of a high performance daily training environment that develops WAIS Para athletes in the performance pathway and ultimately categorisation within the sport of swimming.

About us:

WAIS was established in 1984 to enable Western Australian athletes to achieve international sporting success. Our vision is to have Western Australian sporting champions creating community pride and inspiring the next generation. We operate in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations along with the VenuesWest and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to deliver a high-performance training environment for sports and athletes.

Success for us is about winning well. As a high-performance sporting organisation, winning is important, but how we win is equally important.

We are about our people and creating a culture of excellence, teamwork and respect. From athletes to support staff, everyone at WAIS plays a critical role in our success.

Role Overview:

The Para Unit Coach – Swimming key responsibilities include;

- Support talent identification initiatives and promote classification and competition opportunities for emerging Para athletes in collaboration with Swimming WA and Swimming Australia.
- Coordinate and deliver daily technical and tactical training for developing Para swimmers, aligning with national and WAIS strategies, including athlete identification, IAPPs, and performance support integration.
- Lead and support athlete development through camps, competitions, and a strong focus on the WinWell culture.
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and work with coaches to activate and strengthen Para swimming talent pathways.

About you:

- You are committed to upholding Australia’s High Performance WinWell pledge, putting athlete wellbeing at the forefront of your role.
- You have a Swimming Australia National Coaching Framework – Advanced Coach accreditation or international equivalent, First Aid and CPR Certificate.
- You have experience in Para sport with a good understanding of classification for Para athletes and an ability to identify future para athletes.
- You are excited by the opportunity to build the WAIS Para Unit – Swimming from the ground up by engaging networks and supporting Talent Identification initiatives.
- You have experience providing swimming coaching in a high-performance sporting environment.
- You have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of challenges and barriers faced by current and aspiring para athletes.
- You are experienced in applying contemporary coaching knowledge in successfully developing, motivating and empowering athletes to international level.
- Interpersonal communication skills and emotional intelligence with the ability to engage with stakeholders.
- Experience working with athletes, coaches and integrated performance support teams to support training and development of athletes across areas including technical, tactical, physical, physiological and skill development
- Above all else, you are a genuine team player that cares about others and always acts with kindness and integrity.
- You have, or are willing to obtain, a Working with Children Check, National Police Criminal History check and agree to Swimming Australia Integrity checks.
- Applicants need to have the right to work in Australia (such as Australian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid visa with working rights etc) or the eligibility and ability to gain a visa to permit you to work in Australia.

This position is part time at 0.5 FTE, 18.75 hours per week, maximum term until 30 June 2026 with the with the potential to extend.

If the above sounds like you and you’re ready to make a meaningful impact to the Para unit Swimming program at WAIS, we want to hear from you

All applications must be submitted through the WAIS career portal.

Please include a cover letter addressing your suitability for your role, along with your resume.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Applications close on 8:00am Monday 3 November 2025.

Any candidates that are not shortlisted for interview will be communicated with at the conclusion of our process.

For further information:

For role related queries please contact the HR team via email at hr@wais.org.au

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