The position requires a highly motivated and energetic individual with proven sports development experience and strong communication, relationship building, and organisational skills. The ability to forge a close working relationship with Rowing Victoria’s affiliated bodies, staff, volunteers, and other key stakeholders will be essential to the successful achievement of this position’s objectives.

Core Responsibilities

• Promote and support the Victorian Pathway Program (VPP), identify and support talented athletes to progress ultimately to the National Training Centres (NTC).
• Support High Performance Club development best practice.
• Implement Coach education and professional development programs.
• Athlete development initiatives.
• Transition of athletes from School to Club programs
• High Performance support administrative duties in relation to events, selection and coach education.
• Other initiatives and projects as developed in conjunction with the CEO

Key Duties

A) Club Development

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with High Performance Clubs to support the provision of best practice resources to enhance their HP capacity and capabilities.
• Lead the development and delivery of cross-club/ school growth and development initiatives.
• Improve the quality and number of rowers making the transition from school rowing programs to club rowing programs.
• Promote Rowing Victoria initiatives including regional competitions, school championships, and underage representative pathways.
• Support and promote club open days

B) Coach Development

Develop and manage the Rowing Victoria Coaching Development Program to ensure the provision of:

• Sufficient accredited coaches to support current and future needs
• Appropriate opportunities to support the continued development of coaches’ skills and knowledge and practical application whilst leading the optimisation and ongoing implementation of the Rowing Australia Coach Accreditation Scheme in Victoria.

C) Athlete Development Programs

Lead and coordinate the optimisation and delivery of the key RV athlete centric initiatives.

• Actively support the delivery of the VPP in collaboration with the Victorian Head Coach and Rowing Australia by assisting in the identification of athletes and delivery of a transition program from school to club;
• Develop and implement activities and workshops to coincide with competition activities.
• Coordination with Regional Talent ID groups in the development and support of local initiatives.
• Attendance at selected regattas to promote athlete pathway opportunities

D) Rowing Victoria State Teams

• Coordinate and manage the State Team, Pathways Team and Masters’ Team’s operations and selections.
• Coordinate the selection activities for all underage state teams with Chair of Selectors.
• Combine with the Head Coach and appointed team coaches to develop appropriate team culture and goals

E) Para-Rowing

• Develop, implement, and review the Para-Rowing plan in conjunction with the RV Head Coach, Rowing Australia and Paralympic Australia.
• Support the recruitment and management of the Para-Rowing support personnel and Clubs who will assist with program delivery.

F) School Rowing

• Lead, in collaboration with the Membership Services Co Ordinator, the ongoing development and implementation of programs designed to facilitate progression from school rowing to club rowing.
• In conjunction with RV Head Coach lead in the identification of athletes to be considered for the Pathway Eights State Team selection in conjunction with clubs and schools.
• Lead the development of strategies to increase the number of non-traditional rowing schools, club-based school-focused rowing programs and other talent identification methods.

G) Administration

• Represent Rowing Victoria at relevant events (state/national/local) and on relevant committees/ working groups as required, e.g. Rowing Australia Development commission.
• Maintenance and management of the HP Athlete Databases incl. the Victorian USA athlete database with the RV Head Coach.
• Assist other staff/volunteers and portfolios within Rowing Victoria if and when required
• Prepare and submit monthly reports to the CEO for the Board papers.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with affiliated clubs and associated bodies;
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with the key stakeholders including Schools, clubs, Rowing Australia, Paralympics Australia, Vic Sport.
• Any other duties within the Employee’s capabilities and that are reasonable to expect the Employee to undertake as directed by the CEO from time to time.

Key Interactions

• Chief Executive Officer.
• Head Coach/ Chair of Selectors
• Affiliated Clubs, Schools and Members.
• Traditional and non-traditional rowing schools.
• Rowing Australia.
• Other State Rowing Associations and their Pathway Coordinators.

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Previous experience in sports development including the implementation of successful programs focussed on clubs, athletes, officials, and volunteers.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Effective time management skills, ability to meet deadlines and prioritise tasks;
• A positive “can-do” attitude with the ability to be solutions focused.
• Excellent computer skills and information technology literacy.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as actively contribute within a small team environment.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of the sport of rowing is preferred.