The Head Physiotherapist is responsible for development and execution of the physiotherapy program to prepare the players, to execute optimal performance throughout the season, with the ultimate goal of winning an SSN premiership.

Working closely with the Head of Performance, coaching, medical and other performance staff the Head Physiotherapist is ultimately responsible for the following areas:

• Clinical Management
• Clinical Practice
• Departmental Administration

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Management

• Lead Physiotherapist regarding players’ training status, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Drive regular consultations and planning meetings with relevant staff regarding injury management of players.
• Manage onsite injury and illness and consult via phone with doctors as required, when not on site.
• Liaise with the pathway Physiotherapists as needed regarding any issues that arise with pathway players injury management or prevention strategies.
• Liaise with Performance and Strength and Conditioning staff regularly to ensure that training status is understood in order to maximise training capacity within the limits of injuries.
• Liaise with medical and physiotherapy service providers for Representative teams (Origin Diamonds & Silver Ferns) as required.
• Undertake research with regard to player wellness, recovery and/or injury management techniques to ensure best practice.

Clinical Practice

• Travel with SSN Squad on all away trips.
• Ensure pre training and game taping occurs in a timely and effective manner.
• Coordinate on-field and in-game injury management and provide immediate response and diagnosis for incidents.
• Provide hands-on treatment, as required, throughout the training week.
• Conduct pre-season and post-season screening sessions in conjunction with doctor, including:
  • Production of a screening report for each player
  • Post-game screening to monitor player status on recovery day.
  • Evaluate players at end of season.
• Develop and conduct transitional rehabilitation programs to bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and unrestricted return to play.
• Monitor injured player training at all field training sessions as required.
• Screen new and/or potential recruits for medical clearances and/or checks.

Administration: Office

• Make and confirm medical appointments in collaboration with club doctor, including surgeons, podiatrists, splint making specialists and radiologists
• Attend, and contribute to, netball performance meetings as required.
• Review weekly training diary and ensure that training times and medical clashes are minimised as possible.

Administration: Clinical

• Attend and chair medical unit meetings – attended by Head of Performance and medical staff
• Produce and update the Player Injury and Training Status Report on a daily basis for distribution to all relevant netball staff
• Coordinate the physiotherapy appointment system.
• Ensure the medical records system for the SSN squad is maintained and regularly updated in the Club Database System
• Attend specialist appointments with players as required

Experience and Knowledge 

• 2+ years experience working in high performance, elite or professional sport roles
• Demonstrated experience and success working in integrated multi-disciplinary high performance elite sport programs
• High levels of data competency, including using Athlete Management Solutions and Microsoft 365 applications
• Experience working with player tracking systems/GPS and strength diagnostic technologies

Club Values

All club personnel are responsible for behaving in accordance with, and proudly promoting the Club’s values – Passion, People, Point of Difference and Purpose. 

• Passion: We are passionate about our club and bring energy, emotion, focus and determination to achieve success.
• People: We are a club built on family and community values where people are respected as our most important asset.
• Point of Difference: We pride ourselves on our uniqueness, diversity and individuality that when combined, give us a competitive edge.
• Purpose: Everything we do is for a reason, everything we do has purpose.  

These values are integral to the success of our club, and they form part of each person’s position description and measurements as part of their annual Performance & Development Plans.