Engagement: Contractor (ABN required), until 30 June 2027, with continuation subject to ongoing funding

Base Fee: $15,000 per annum, plus a daily travel allowance when travelling with national teams

Location: Flexible - Head Office located in Albert Park, Melbourne, with travel to camps, competitions and high-performance events

Reports to: General Manager Game Development

Start date: As soon as possible

About Softball Australia

Softball Australia is the national sporting organisation for softball, with eight member states and territories, more than 23,000 members and over 100,000 players, from grassroots to elite. Our vision is that softball is for everybody, inspiring heroes on the world stage. We do well, we do good, and we have fun.

We exist for our members and govern the sport to ensure integrity, safety, inclusivity and respectful environments at all levels. Softball Australia is committed to equal opportunity, equity, diversity and social inclusion in all its employment and engagement practices.

Fuel the Aussie Spirit

Softball Australia is looking for a Lead Sports Dietitian to provide expert performance nutrition support to our Women's National Team (the Aussie Spirit) and national pathway athletes.

Working closely with our High Performance team, performance support staff and external medical providers, you'll help maximise athlete health, availability and performance. You'll also lead nutrition and hydration support for the 2027 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals, hosted by Softball Australia, as the team builds towards the LA 2028 Olympics.

What you'll do

Athlete nutrition

• Provide individual nutrition consultations to support athletes' Individual Performance Plans
• Deliver nutrition and hydration workshops at camps
• Advise on athlete nutrition screening, including regular iron and vitamin D checks, in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer
• Provide guidance and education on supplement use, including anti-doping compliance
• Provide guidance on body composition measurement, and assess body composition if required
• Support athletes returning from injury or illness with nutrition strategies

Camps, competition and the 2027 World Cup

• Lead nutrition and hydration support for the 2027 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals, including competition nutrition strategies
• Guide menu planning for Spirit Team training and games
• Work with caterers, hotels, the High Performance Operations Coordinator and Team Managers on food logistics for camps, competitions and travel
• Attend game days as required to make sure nutrition and hydration needs are met before, during and after games

Strategy and reporting

• Develop and implement best practice nutrition policies for Softball Australia
• Contribute to planning for HP programs, athlete monitoring and performance initiatives
• Keep accurate consultation records in the AMS
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and post-competition debriefs
• Report regularly to the High Performance Unit, and quarterly to the General Manager Game Development

What you bring

Essential qualifications

• Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) – Dietitians Australia
• Accredited Sports Dietitian (AccSD) – Sports Dietitians Australia
• Relevant tertiary qualification in dietetics
• Level 1 ISAK Anthropometry
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain before appointment)
• Current Working With Children / Vulnerable People Check (or willingness to obtain before appointment)
• Completion of Softball Australia, Sport Integrity Australia and/or Australian Sports Commission integrity and safeguarding courses (or willingness to complete before appointment)

Experience

• 3–5 years' experience in elite or high performance sport
• Proven delivery of performance nutrition in multidisciplinary teams
• Program design aligned to training cycles, recovery and competition
• Group and individual education delivery
• Familiarity with athlete data systems, such as an AMS

You'll be a collaborative self-starter who communicates clearly, adapts to different people and situations, and upholds Softball Australia's values.

The fine print

• This is a contract engagement until 30 June 2027, with continuation subject to ongoing funding
• Time commitment will vary with service demands and program priorities, and will be agreed in advance where possible
• Travel with teams for camps, competitions and other high performance events will be required; all flights and accommodation are arranged and paid for by Softball Australia
• You must hold appropriate professional registrations and insurances

Child Safeguarding Message

Softball Australia is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all children and young people participating in our sport.

We believe that children have the right to feel safe, respected and valued in all softball activities. Child safety is everyone's responsibility and we expect all staff, volunteers, coaches, officials and participants to uphold the highest standards of behaviour.

At Softball Australia we have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect or harm in any form, and require all applicants that will work with children and young people to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment. This may include a police check.

A copy of Softball Australia's Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy can be found here: softball.org.au/integrity/integrity-and-policies