2025-26 Physical Preparation Traineeship

About the Victorian Institute of Sport:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria's best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.

The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff.  It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne's outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.

The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes. 

 

Traineeship Benefits:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a supportive work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria's best athletes. In addition, all trainees will have access to:

• 2XU gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
• Opportunity to get involved with Friday Staff Sport to get that competitive energy out whilst socialising and networking with VIS staff members
• Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light & open windows  Free access to gym, staff boxing classes and pool/recovery facilities

The Opportunity: 

The Physical Preparation traineeship provides an exciting opportunity for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches to gain valuable practical experience in preparing elite athletes alongside Australia's leading Strength & Conditioning coaches.

The traineeship is a voluntary placement that is designed for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches to learn valuable practical skills in an elite-athlete environment. Contact hours are approximately 10 hours per week that can be organised around other work/study commitments. The traineeship will commence in December 2025 and conclude in November 2026.

Trainees will have the opportunity to gain exposure to different aspects of the sport programs at the VIS and will gain insights into how athletes prepare.

The placements will observe and may assist under the guidance and supervision of a VIS employee with initiatives in area of VIS physical preparation including:

• Squad based training sessions
• Programming and planning of S&C sessions
• Testing and data collection of strength and power testing
• Monitoring of training loads
• Video capture & technique analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) during training and competition
• Attending planning and review meetings
• Participate in theoretical and practical education including weekly workshops

Qualifications & Experience: 

The following qualifications are essential as they will be required to fulfil the duties/ responsibilities of the traineeship:

• Current Working with Children Check
• Current CPR & First Aid
  
   

Application Details - Eligibility:

• Traineeships are available to current undergraduates, graduates, or postgraduate students studying Exercise Science or related courses.
• Applicants must be based in Victoria and can attend VIS headquarters (Albert Park) and various daily performance environments around Melbourne to be eligible for the traineeship.
• Traineeships are NOT offered to high school students.
  
   

How to Apply?

All applicants are required to submit the below: 

1. Cover letter addressing the key criteria listed below:
   • Why do you want the placement (career aspirations)?
   • Practical experience in strength and conditioning, sport coaching or personal training to date.
   • Relevant qualifications (either completed or in completion)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Most up-to-date academic transcript
   
    

Applications close Sunday 30th November 2025. 

The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, identities, ages, and abilities including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.