AFLW Head of High Performance

About the Collingwood Football Club 

Collingwood Football Club (CFC) was founded in 1892.

Local residents, community and business leaders and politicians all hoped that having their own football club could help bring a measure of pride to a downtrodden suburb.

In 2024, CFC is one of the great icons of Australian sport. Our history spans 130 years, 16 premierships and more finals appearances than any other club. Most importantly, Collingwood has grown from being a football club to a sports club with a commitment to our community.

Collingwood is not made by a President, a Captain, a Coach or a CEO.  It’s not just any one player, employee, supporter or fan, Collingwood is made by many.

The opportunity

The AFLW Head of High Performance will design, facilitate, supervise and deliver comprehensive elite performance programs and structures for the AFLW program and athletes. The ideal candidate will integrate evidence-based strength and conditioning, sports science, nutrition, recovery, and rehabilitation practices, to ensure our athletes are athletically prepared for the demands of the AFLW competition.

Key responsibilities include:

Program Management

• Develop a strong culture and philosophy of all aspects of the physical preparation program – Field-based training, gym-based training, sports science and monitoring, rehabilitation for return to performance, nutrition support (in conjunction with Performance Dietician)
• Management and planning of all aspects of scheduling for the AFLW team with support from Head Coach, GM of Women’s Football – Training sessions/meeting times, weight training and physical preparation sessions, rehabilitation training times, pre-season and in-season requirements, recovery scheduling.
• Provision of reporting procedures designed to inform staff and players on appropriate progressions in the physical performance program – GPS, training loads, wellness, physical capacity testing, rehabilitation management

Program Delivery

• Prescribe and deliver whole team and individual field-based training sessions based on evidence-based load and intensity parameters, aimed and handling the most intense parts of the game
• Provide and deliver individualised gym-based training sessions targeting movement, and developing athletic qualities
• Provide and deliver mid- to end-stage rehabilitation programs aimed at returning players to peak athletic performance
• Provision and organisation of on-field, and off-field sports science and monitoring framework
• Additional Role (outside of AFLW season requirements)

AFL Program 

• Assist high performance manager in strength and conditioning and sports science needs within the AFL program.
• Lead specific areas within the AFL program, targeted towards elite athlete preparation + recovery sessions

About you

To be successful as the AFLW Head of High Performance, you will have:

• Formal qualifications in area of Sport Science (Postgraduate or Master’s highly desirable)
• Sound understanding of current elite practices and technologies is the area of Sport Science
• Demonstrated background in development and implementation of strength and conditioning programs at the elite sporting level.
• An understanding of how Elite Sporting Clubs operate and their governing bodies.
• Ability to analyse, create, develop, and optimise Strength Program.
• Ability to lead staff and provide direction as the Strength & Conditioning SME.
• Ability to build rapport quickly with athletes and motivate them to go above and beyond.
• Adept Leadership and People Management with leading athletes and teams

The AFLW Head of High Performance will create a positive and inspiring culture to work according to Collingwood Football Club’s values: Do Better, Side by Side, A Nest For All and Fly Higher.

What we offer

As a Collingwood Football Club Foundation employee, you will have access to unique programs and offerings. Your health and wellbeing will be nurtured through our in-house programs, and you will be able to make the most of discounts from our Corporate Partners including activewear, health insurance and hospitality.

As a valued staff member of our Sporting Club you will be a part of a fun, inclusive and flexible work environment.

• 5-8% discount on saver fares in Economy and Business Class with Emirates
• Offer on 12 month term accounts with La Trobe Financial
• 10% off in all Nike retail stores
• Exclusive access to the Nike athlete store
• Exclusive access to discounts with CUB Drinks Cart
• Discounted parking via Melbourne Airport Parking
• Discounted AIA Health Insurance (join AIA on an eligible policy and receive up to $400 Collingwood credit)

To Apply

If you are interested in this position, please send through your CV and cover letter that addresses why you are interested in working with the Collingwood Football Club, how your skills/experience would qualify for the position, and how you would contribute to the culture of the organisation.

Applications close COB Monday 29 July 2024.

Please keep reading…

Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized folks tend to only apply when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point above, please still get in touch. We’d love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit. 

The Collingwood Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and diverse candidates. We provide a welcoming, safe and flexible approach to work and provide an environment that benefits from and enables the best from everyone.

As an organisation we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. It is essential that anyone involved with the Collingwood Football Club understands their responsibility in relation to child safety. Our organisation requires all applicants to obtain a ‘Working with Children Check’ prior to appointment.