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 purpose of this role is to deliver a best practice strength and conditioning program for the Queensland Firebirds and a select group of elite athletes within the Netball Queensland (NQ) high performance system.  The right person will have the leadership skills and the technical expertise to enable athletes to achieve superior physical fitness, build mental toughness and develop physiological resilience which will in turn foster excellence in Club culture, player performance, athlete wellbeing and ultimately, on-court success.

Reporting to the Head Coach, you will be accountable for leading and managing the strength and conditioning program for the Queensland Firebirds athletes. The Head of Strength and Conditioning will also ensure alignment between the Queensland Firebirds and the Queensland Netball high performance pathway.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure optimum high performance in Firebirds athletes:

• Design and deliver a physical performance program for the Firebirds that compliments the coaches training to optimise the physical performance of the players.
• Deliver training sessions designed to enhance player’s physical capabilities.
• Create collaborative working relationships with coaches, staff, service providers and players to support the team performance.
• Monitor players acute and chronic responses to training and match play to ensure appropriate overload and recovery and reduce risk of injury.
• Provide feedback and guide coaching staff and players on training intensities, volume and loading.
• In consultation with Head Coach and relevant medical professionals, assist the Head Coach in making decisions on player availability for trainings and games.
• Work closely with the Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Specialist coaches on individual and team programs and plans to optimise both individual and team outcomes.
• Work in close cooperation and collaboration with the sports medicine staff, especially in the management of training load, injury prevention, and rehabilitation of injured or at-risk athletes.
• In close conjunction with the Head Coach manage the designated Queensland Firebirds service providers.
• Contribute to the team’s annual performance review and needs-analysis for each athlete in conjunction with coaches.
• Plan and implement appropriate testing methodologies to ensure athletes are on track to achieve targets and to assess program effectiveness.
• Utilise, manage and oversee the Athlete Management System.
• Prepare and circulate weekly performance reports and injury management reports.
• Liaise with Coaching staff of the Queensland Firebirds to develop and review Individual Athlete Development Plans.
• In consultation with the relevant medical professional, develop, monitor and manage the Injury Management Protocol for Firebirds Athletes.

Ensure alignment between the Queensland Firebirds and the Queensland Netball high performance pathway:

• Provide leadership, direction and guidance to the QFFA Strength and Conditioning Coach, and the Head of Talent and Development to ensure that athletes are well prepared to enter the Firebirds training environment.
• Ensure standardised processes are in place throughout the Netball QLD pathway.

Collaboration and support:

• Facilitate and contribute to positive working relationships and collaboration across the QLD Firebird’s program.
• Provide advice and guidance to the GM of High Performance on budgets for the program including routine maintenance and the purchase of new equipment etc.
• Liaise with Netball Australia performance services staff to an integrated approach to service delivery between State and National Programs.
• Manage and provide direction to physical performance and strength and conditioning staff and interns.
• Periodically deliver professional development for coaches on aspects of strength and conditioning.
• Provide direction to and manage research projects, interns and sports science students.

Ensure safety of high-performance environments:

• Oversee the management of the strength and conditioning facilities and physical environment at Nissan Arena, establishing and maintaining appropriate policies, plans, and procedures for the safe and professional operation of strength and conditioning equipment and the training environment.
• Ensure a safe workplace through compliance with NQ Codes and Policies relating to workplace health and safety.

Be visible in your commitment to a safe and respectful workplace:

• Set clear expectations
• Role model respectful behaviour
• Foster a culture that empowers workers to speak up
• Hold people accountable for their actions
• Demonstrate and support a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion

This is a full-time role which may involve domestic travel with the Queensland Firebirds, including training camps and the Suncorp Super Netball away games throughout the season. 

ABOUT YOU

The Head of Performance is required to have the following qualifications and experience:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Human Movement or Sport Science)
• Level 1 Australian Strength & Conditioning Association
• Registration with ESSA and ASC
• At least 5 years’ experience in the delivery of Strength and Conditioning services to elite athletes in a team sport environment
• First Aid/CPR qualification
• Experience in managing small teams of staff and interns

Highly Desirable:

• Level 2 Australian Strength & Conditioning Association
• Accredited L1 Asps - ESSA
• Postgraduate qualification specialising in Strength & Conditioning
• ASCA Pro Accreditation or level 3 accreditation
• Research Experience

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.