Strategic Alignment: Grow the Game & Basketball Journey

Reports to: General Manager

Direct reports: Coaches

Works with: Competitions Manager, Head of Referees, Competitions & Referee Development Officer, Pathways Administrator, Office & Accounts Manager, Design & Partnerships Manager, Retail Administrator.

Organisational Context

The SPBA is the largest not-for-profit sporting organisation on the Mornington Peninsula. Our objective is to administer the sport of basketball from Mornington to Sorrento. Providing an avenue for its players, coaches, officials and administrators to participate and develop through organised competitions and development programs.

SPBA represents our members of all skill levels, abilities and ages. We provide a range of services, including competitions, development programs, high performance programs and further development opportunities for our players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers. We pride ourselves on our community involvement in the wider Mornington Peninsula region. These services/programs focus on providing development opportunities in a fun, safe and engaging environment. SPBA operates across multiple venues, including Dromana, Rosebud & Sorrento.

We are RESPECTFUL | We are INCLUSIVE | We are TRUSTWORTHY | We foster ENJOYMENT | We drive EXCELLENCE

Purpose

The Head of Coaching & Pathways provides leadership and oversight of on court strategy and success within the SPBA, ensuring the effective operation, growth, and development of participation & pathway streams.

The Head of Coaching & Pathways oversees coach development and player pathways, fostering a professional, structured, high-performing and inclusive basketball environment. Key responsibilities include implementing strategic objectives in relation to on court functions, coach education, talent identification, program development, and performance reviews. The role also involves liaising with Basketball Victoria pathways department, securing development opportunities, and ensuring evidence-based coaching approaches are implemented across all levels. Additionally, the Head of Coaching & Pathways leads high-performance development, ensuring a seamless pathway for athlete progression. This role is directly accountable for the pathway stream of the Association while supporting the participation streams to ensure alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Department Oversight (10%)

• Provide leadership and implement approved strategic direction for on court functions.

• Conduct reviews of basketball programs to ensure continual improvement and alignment.

• Engage in external development and representation by attending events such as National Junior Championships, Nationals Coaches Conference and Basketball Victoria Pathways events/programs.

Junior Representative (50%)

• Oversee Junior Representative Programs (Sharks Academy & VJBL), ensuring strong player and team development pathways.

• Recruit, develop, and appoint representative coaches through a structured selection process for VJBL and academy teams.

• Develop and implement the Sharks Style of Play.

• Attend Friday night VJBL home games.

• Conduct squad style training sessions once per week.

• Manage tryout processes, selection policies, and player education programs.

• Oversee structured skill development programs and pathway development.

• Lead coach education, accreditation, and mentorship to ensure representative programs have high-quality coaching.

• Lead Talent Identification programs and liaise with Basketball Victoria High Performance coaches.

• Conduct representative coach feedback sessions.

• Engage and educate SPBA appointed pathway stream coaches through a range of resources, communication and clinics.

Senior Representative (10%)

• Oversee Senior Representative Coaches & International Players (CBL & Big V), ensuring strong player and team development pathways.

• Recruit and appoint senior representative coaches through a structured selection process, alongside the General Manager.

• Work with senior coaches on alignment of their teams to the Sharks Style of Play.

• Attend team training every 2-3 weeks to provide guidance and direction to the coaches.

• Conduct structured weekly skill development programs, including individual workouts with international players and pathway development.

• Assist the Pathways Administrator in international player onboarding and offboarding.

• Engage and educate SPBA appointed pathway stream coaches through a range of resources, communication and clinics.

Development Programs (15%)

• Head Coach the SPBA High Performance Program.

• Head Coach the Dromana College Academy Program (Wednesday’s 12pm – 3pm).

• Build and maintain a strong pool of coaches to service school based and development programs.

• Attend the first 1-2 weeks of each development program to train and upskill coaches.

Basketball Development (15%)

• Work with the Competitions Manager to support competition structure, coach engagement, and grassroots basketball development.

• Work with the Pathways Administrator to develop and expand school partnerships, community basketball programs, and additional participation opportunities.

• Work with the Head of Referees to develop technical officials pathways in alignment with the basketball department.

• Engage and educate participatory stream coaches through a range of resources, communication and clinics.

• Support grassroots participation, ensuring a clear pathway for players, coaches, referees, officials and volunteers.

• Identify and recruit coaches through the domestic program for pathway development through liaising with clubs.

• Provide development opportunities and pathways for domestic coaches such as online resources.

• Liaise with Marketing to promote on court aspects of the club including selections, education and highlights

• Meet with the General Manager on a weekly basis and provide a written report once a month and present to the Board of Management quarterly.

Key Performance Indicators

• Attend and share learnings with coaches from at least 2 external development opportunities annually.

• All junior representative teams covered by a suitably experienced head coach prior to the start of team trainings.

• Year on year improved end of season ranking for representative teams based on division and ladder position.

• Year on year increase in player and coach attendance at BV Pathways Trials.

• Each Junior Representative team engaged with on a fortnightly basis, coaching the coach.

• Provide coaches monthly formal feedback.

• Year on year increase on players and coaches selected to higher level programs or teams.

• Maintain a pool of sufficiently experienced coaches to service school and development programs.

• Hold at least two domestic coaches’ courses per year.

• Growth in participant numbers by 5%+ annually.

• 100% compliance with Child Safeguarding Policy.

• Maintain “inbox near zero”: 90% of emails answered =2 business days, 100% =5 business days during season.

Inclusion

SPBA has a commitment towards the inclusion of all members of the community across all facets of our sport. SPBA recognises the influence and impact sport has on the wider community and encourages participation from the wider community regardless of age, race, religion, or disability.

Child Safety

SPBA is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all children and young people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns are treated with the utmost seriousness. In line with the Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy, every staff member, coach, referee, volunteer, contractor, and member is expected to uphold professional boundaries, act as a positive role model, and always prioritise the wellbeing of children. Appointment to any role with SPBA requires compliance with mandatory screening, training, and reporting obligations, as we work together to ensure that every child feels safe, respected, and supported within our community.

Selection Criteria

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory proof of eligibility to work in Australia, reference checks and a Working with Children Check. All applicants must have a valid Driver’s License.

The below criteria are used to assess candidates. Applications that don't meet all criteria are still encouraged to apply:

Leadership

• Proven experience in leading and managing basketball programs.

• Strong ability to mentor and oversee coaches and program leaders to ensure program alignment with SPBA’s strategic objectives.

• Experience in conducting program reviews and implementing improvements to enhance player, coach, and referee development.

Basketball Program Development

• Extensive knowledge of basketball development pathways, including grassroots, domestic, and high-performance programs.

• Experience in recruiting, appointing, and mentoring coaches across both participatory and elite levels.

• Strong understanding of talent identification and player progression pathways within state and national basketball programs.

• Proven ability to develop and implement coaching education initiatives to upskill domestic and representative coaches.

Program Management

• Experience in managing junior and senior representative programs.

• Ability to lead tryout processes, player selection policies, and squad training sessions to ensure structured development.

• Capability to optimise court allocations, coach rosters, and player workloads to optimise training and performance outcomes.

Coach & Athlete Development

• Representative Level Coaching Accreditation (at minimum Competition level) or ability to obtain.

• Basketball Victoria Coach Presenter qualification or ability to obtain.

• Experience in coaching mentorship, accreditation, and professional development.

• Ability to conduct coach feedback sessions and implement formal coaching evaluations.

• Experience in overseeing structured skill development programs, including individual and team training at both participatory and elite levels.

• Proven success in improving team and individual athlete performance, evidenced by higher-level player selections (SDP/SPP/NPP, NBL1, Youth Champ, College programs, etc.).

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Strong ability to engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, including Basketball Victoria, local schools, and community groups.

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with parents, players, and volunteers to ensure a strong basketball community.

Operational & Risk Management

• Knowledge of OHS and facility safety requirements, ensuring all training and game venues are safe and operational.

• Experience in monitoring and enforcing compliance standards for coaches, referees, and program leaders.

• Ability to handle administrative duties, including program reporting, board presentations, and collaboration with internal departments.

This job description serves to illustrate the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.

How this role works

This role will have a strong on court presence, with approximately 2.5 days in office (negotiated with successful candidate) and flexibility around how other hours are worked around on court requirements. The role includes some local travel, as well as some evening work including Friday evenings and occasional weekend work.

Why join our team?

• You’ll join a purpose-driven organisation with a supportive team culture, flexible working arrangements, and a clear focus on organisation culture. 

• Opportunity to work in an organisation which is bigger than basketball including hosting events with over 50,000 people.

• Hybrid and flexible arrangements to support your work-life balance.   

• Friendly and inclusive culture, supporting diversity and employee wellbeing.   

• Discounts from our commercial partners including 40% off New Balance

• Employee Assistance Program to support mental well-being.   

• Staff wellbeing days where we cover the cost for you to have a day off and do something for yourself!

• Free food allowances from our onsite canteen.

• Free court use in off peak times.

• Generous professional development budgets to support your development.

If you meet a number of the requirements, but not all, we encourage you to submit your application. If you have any queries about the role, please contact ben.white@sthpen.com.au.

Applications will be shortlisted from 27th July 2026.