State Youth Football Development Coach

About Us
As a leading organization in the sports industry, we strive to enhance and grow the game of football at all levels. From grassroots to elite, our goal is to develop young athletes who can succeed in their chosen profession.

The Australian Football League (AFL) works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people in our care. We undertake several screening processes to guarantee this commitment, including requiring a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

We are an equal opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of both our organization and the communities we serve. Our game is for everyone, and we aim to create a workplace that reflects this principle.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply for this role.

The primary responsibility of the State Development Coach is to lead the development of talented young female footballers and other coaches in a well-balanced high-performance environment. This includes setting, driving, and maintaining a positive, safe, and supportive development program culture.

The successful candidate will plan, manage, and lead a talented player pathway program that supports the development and progression of well-prepared young athletes ready for AFL and AFLW football, as well as those transitioning into State League and/or community football competitions after their talent pathway experience.

• Lead and maintain a safe, inclusive, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all staff and athletes.
• Foster individual player development rather than team success, aided by Individual Player Development Plans on Smartabase.
• Provide an integrated program between girls and boys, with head coaches regularly cross-pollinating in terms of presence at training sessions, knowledge sharing, and improvement feedback in both programs.
• Facilitate regular player feedback, vision edits, game/stats analysis, and reporting in line with AFL Talent Pathway standards using online platforms like Smartabase, Hudl, and Sportscode.
• Identify and develop athletes from diverse backgrounds by creating a culturally safe high-performance environment for all.
• Lead coaching development in the region, focusing on community and school coaches with support from the AFL Coaching team.
• Design and implement innovative coaching methods to enhance player development, fundamentals, and decision-making.
• Work with Wellbeing Coordinators to support players' welfare and manage their wellness.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, such as WWCC.
• Support the integration of boys' and girls' programs.
• Build connections with local clubs, leagues, and schools to support the talent program.
• Stay current on best practices in talent development and identify future coaching potential within the region.
• Organize weekly leadership meetings to monitor and plan program activities.
• Contribute to State Academy programs and promote a positive image of the AFL talent pathway.
• Develop positive relationships with stakeholders to achieve talent program objectives.

• A minimum Level 2 AFL Coaching Accreditation or ability to obtain.
• Experience working with young people.
• Demonstrated personal initiative and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Well-developed communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent IT skills when working with vision and presentation of coaching strategies.
• Operational knowledge/skills of applications and relevant player performance analysis software and vision editing programs like Champion Data, Sportscode, Hudl, and Smartabase.
• Ability to teach the latest coaching methods, including IT and software programs that assist in this process.
• A coaching philosophy, ethics, and attitude aligned with the Victorian Talent Pathway philosophy and purpose of the Coates Talent League.
• Sound technical knowledge and training methods suitable for the group of players, in-line with AFL/AFLW Club Development Programs.
• Exposure to talented player programs and a strong understanding/knowledge of talented footballer identification and development theories and practice.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, ability to formulate and communicate sequential training and game plans, and ability to identify, motivate, and nurture young talented athletes.
• Capacity to develop and sustain productive relationships with stakeholders, particularly with other talent pathway coaches and operational leads, high-performance & medical staff, players, their parents, and schools.
• Ability to influence stakeholders to work together to achieve talented player program objectives.
• Capacity to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and programs at the same time.
• A current Driver License and a current Working with Children Check.

• Previous successful coaching experience with talented and/or elite athletes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of talent development programs in football or other sports.

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisation

• Play The Day Your Way – a flexible approach to your working life.
• My Development – lean into the AFL's My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring, and formal learning.
• Play Well – access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace.
• My Benefits – with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts.
• AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy and share the experience of our game with your family and friends.