About Special Olympics Australia
Special Olympics Australia (SOA) is part of a global movement improving inclusion through sports for people with intellectual disability and/or autism.
At Special Olympics Australia, we believe sport can do more than inspire. It can shift culture. It can shape policies. It can change behaviours. And it can change the way the world sees ability.
All year round, we offer Olympic-type sports training and competitions for children and adults of all ages and ability levels, from weekly local grassroots activities, to State, National and World Games.
But what we do goes far beyond sport. We break down barriers and we ignite confidence. We are a movement where no one is left behind, and everyone plays, competes, and thrives.
Position Purpose
To lead and coordinate all participation opportunities across Victoria and Tasmania, including weekly sports training and competitions, participation growth initiatives and other endorsed Special Olympics programs across school, community and club settings. The State Manager - Vic/Tas will engage and collaborate with sport partners, affiliated organisations and endorsed delivery providers. They will liaise closely with the state committees, particularly for the provision of competitions like State Games.
Key Relationships and Interactions
- SOA Staff
- State Committees and State Sports Coordinators (Volunteers)
- Sport Industry Stakeholders including State Sporting Organisations (SSOs)
- Mainstream Sporting Clubs
- Coaching Providers and Program Delivery Partners
- Schools and Community Organisations
- State and Local Government
- State Branch of Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
Key Accountabilities
Sport Development
- Coordinate delivery of sports programs via a network of clubs and providers
- Develop and grow the number of sports offered in underserviced parts of the states
- Grow participation in SOA target / priority sports, as determined by national strategy
- Provide leadership to sports coaches and administrators across the states
Competitions
- Work with the SOA competition team to foster more competition opportunities
- Support the State Sport Coordinators to offer more local sporting competitions
- Support the State Committee to plan, coordinate and deliver the State Games
Participation Programs
- Coordinate increased delivery of SOA programs in school and community settings
- Establish new Special Olympics hubs for program delivery by leveraging partnerships
- Develop and grow the number of programs offered in identified growth areas
- Facilitate the transition of program participants into weekly sports training
- Oversee delivery and coordination of grant funded projects and resources
Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with SSOs and sport providers
- Develop and maintain a network of endorsed program delivery partners
- Develop and maintain a growing network of affiliate partners
- Develop and maintain a working relationship with the local LETR program
- Work collaboratively with the State Committee, including State Chair
Leadership
- Provide staff management of SOA State Coordinator/s (where applicable)
- Provide leadership and training to State Sport Coordinators and coaches
- Represent SOA at meetings, workshops, forums and other events, as required
- Actively contribute to a ‘One Team’ culture at all levels of the organisation
- Always role model the SOA values and place athletes at the centre of what we do
