ABOUT NETBALL QUEENSLAND

Netball Queensland (NQ) is the peak state sporting organisation responsible for the governance, development, promotion and administration of netball throughout Queensland.

We take seriously our position as custodians of netball in Queensland and prioritise our responsibility to promote inclusion, gender equality and diversity. We are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment through transitioning diversity, equity and inclusion from a function to a practice.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan launched in April 2022 has formalised our commitment to reconciliation by embedding a framework to turn our intentions into practical, meaningful actions and outcomes.

At NQ our purpose is to enrich lives through netball, and we aspire to be the most played and supported sport in Queensland. Our 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan defines what ‘winning’ means for our organisation and outlines the choices that will make it happen and create value.

The incredible Nissan Arena is the home to our history-making Queensland Firebirds netball team as well as NQ's operations and delivery of community sport and major events.

At NQ our values and behaviours are important to our cultural identity and where we grow, play, inspire and lead our great game of netball.

As we strive for our Queensland Firebirds to be Queensland’s favourite sporting team and work to build thriving netball communities, we know that we must assemble the right team. A career at NQ represents a unique opportunity to succeed in a high-performance environment while enjoying a flexible work culture and directly contributing to the sustainability of netball in Queensland.

Further information on Netball Queensland, Nissan Arena and the Queensland Firebirds can be found at netballq.org.au, nissanarena.com.au, and firebirds.net.au.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Personal Development and Wellbeing Lead is a role focused on enabling holistic athlete development with an emphasis on life outside the daily training and competition environment.  Working alongside the Performance Psychologist, this role supports athletes to effectively navigate the critical transition points throughout and beyond their sport career with a focus on personal development and career planning and education.

This is a part time role (0.5/19 hpw) with flexibility on work pattern.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the athlete transition process for players leaving the club (both retiring athletes and those transitioning to a new club – domestically or internationally)
• Assist new players with relocation and support their transition into the club.
• Coordinate service providers where needed to ensure athlete transitions are smooth and properly managed.
• Ensure athletes have access to relevant education and learning opportunities as offered by Netball Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport or make other recommendations as relevant and appropriate.
• Help facilitate a broader identity during their athletic careers by fostering career and education opportunities.
• Provide support to athletes in establishing career and education goals and in establishing appropriate plans to achieve them including, but not limited to, the design and ongoing review of Individual Life Plans (ILPS).
• Design, facilitate, coordinate and deliver workshops throughout the Queensland Firebirds Club aimed at developing skills as a ‘holistic athlete’.
• Oversee the development of a professional development mentorship program that links Firebirds athletes with relevant industry experts.
• Oversee the development of an athlete mentorship program that links Firebirds’ athletes with developing athletes in the Firebirds’ Futures program
• Liaise with internal staff, including the Performance Psychologist and broader High Performance Team, regarding holistic wellbeing and engagement needs of athletes (both on an individual and squad basis.
• Engage in in ongoing Community of Practice (COP) meetings and Professional Development opportunities with the SSN Wellbeing Leads Network, Netball Australia, the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) and the Australian institute of Sport (AIS) Wellbeing & Engagement Network’.
• Liaise with the Netball Australia Head of Wellbeing & Engagement and the Australian Netball Players Association regarding support mechanisms and initiatives.

ABOUT YOU

Skills & Experience:

• Experience in the provision and application of any career, education, and professional/personal development services for improved performance.
• Awareness of contemporary issues relating to athletes in high performance sport.
• Demonstrated experience working within a multi-disciplinary team within a high performance environment.
• Demonstrated experience guiding and supporting people through various transition, educational and vocational pathways.
• Experience and commitment to delivering best practice in career development support, education, vocational options and guidance.
• Experience in establishing, maintaining, broadening and leveraging connections with relevant service industry networks.
• An understanding of the high performance behaviours required to succeed as an elite athlete both on and off the court.
• Understanding of contemporary wellbeing and engagement strategies in the context of high performance sport

Qualifications:

• Direct experience in operating in elite, high-performance sporting teams and/or environments
• Qualification in elite athlete wellbeing, social work, career development, education, counselling or similar is highly desirable.
• A working with children check and first aid certification will be essential for this role.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop an understanding of, the functional areas within Netball and how they operate and interact with each other
• Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop an understanding of, Netball’s current operating environment and how to work within it, understanding of Netball language, some technical themes and evolution
• Understanding of the structure and dynamics of Australian and international sport, including the interrelations at local, state and national level useful but not essential

WHY WORK FOR NETBALL QUEENSLAND?

To achieve our vision of becoming the most played and supported sport in Queensland, Netball Queensland must have the best and brightest team on and off the court.  As an employee at Netball Queensland your rewards will be:

• Culture: a high-performance culture defined by NQ’s values and accepted behaviours and norms.
• Flexibility: a hybrid work model that recognises the benefits of working in the office and working remotely
• Family: 18 weeks paid primary carer leave and 4 weeks paid secondary carer leave
• Wellness: access to employee assistance programs and a fully equipped high-performance gym
• Growth: professional development opportunities and a strong commitment to support your career growth
• Reward and Recognition: remuneration reviewed annually in line with our performance review and career discussion process, regular feedback provided and wins celebrated
• Facilities: modern office facilities in Nissan Arena
• Location: easily accessible location with onsite parking and public transport
• Benefits: tickets to events at Nissan Arena and sponsor discounts
• Social: social committee who organise quarterly all-team events

And above all, the opportunity to directly impact our great game of netball and ensure its sustainability for generations to come!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Blue Card

As an organisation we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. It is essential that anyone employed at NQ understand their responsibility in relation to child safety. We require that all applicants hold a Working with Children (Blue) Card or be able to obtain one as soon as possible and before commencing employment with NQ.

Diversity and Inclusion

Netball Queensland recognises that diversity and inclusion are drivers of success and prioritises creating a workplace where all individuals have fair opportunities to thrive and contribute. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds including, but not limited to, those from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and LGBTIQ communities.

Hours of Work

The sport industry operates outside of traditional business hours, including weekends. To succeed in this role, you must be willing and able to work when and where sport is happening.  We have a flexible approach to ensuring our people can balance their family life and personal commitments alongside the demands of the industry.