ABOUT THE CLUB
As the pioneers of the AFL, The Melbourne Football Club holds a special place in history. Our legacy dates back 165 years, when we wrote the rules of the game. We became the inaugural VFA/VFL/AFL Club and still carry the distinction of being the oldest professional sporting club in the world. Our vision of the future has been shaped by the foundations of our past. A foundation which created the Demon Spirit.
At Melbourne, we're proud. Proud of our rich history, proud of our values, with Trust, Respect, Unity, and Excellence at our core. Proud of our people, who live these values each and every day. Proud of our passion, our colours and our spiritual home. We're proud to belong.
ABOUT THE ROLE
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a High-Performance Manager to join our AFLW & Academy Department in Season 2025. The AFLW Head of High Performance/Academy is a dual role, focused on leading and optimising high-performance programs for the Melbourne Football Club's AFLW team and Academy Pathways.
Reporting to the Head of Women's Football, this role is crucial in implementing elite performance strategies, promoting athlete development, and building a culture of excellence across both AFLW & Academy environments. With responsibilities spanning physical preparation, injury prevention, and talent progression, the role supports the club's commitment to fostering future AFLW talent. This is a full 12-month, full time position, commencing in January 2025.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The key areas of responsibilities will include:
AFLW High Performance
Lead and implement the AFLW High-performance program, focusing on physical preparation, recovery, and injury management
Collaborate with coaching and medical staff to create individualised athlete development plans and provide performance data to inform decisions
Manage strength, conditioning, and nutrition programs while conducting regular player performance reviews and educational sessions on injury prevention, nutrition, and wellness
Academy High Performance Manager
Oversee high-performance programs for the clubs Academy pathways, including talent development models for U14, U16, and scholarship athletes.
Manage strength, conditioning and recovery, and collaborate with coaches to integrate performance data into talent development.
Drive innovation and align training with both AFLW and Academy goals
Leadership & Management
Provide strategic leadership across AFLW and Academy high-performance teams, fostering collaboration and continuous learning
Communicate closely with coaching staff and Head of Women's Football, while driving a values-led environment
Report on performance metrics and present data-driven insights to inform ongoing program improvements
Manage budgets, resources and scheduling while providing detailed reports to the Head of Women's Football on player performance, trends, and program effectiveness
Monitor and evaluate KPI's for staff to initiate annual Performance Reviews while offering data-driven insights and improvement strategies
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
You are passionate about developing female athletes and guiding their pathway to elite performance. With a tertiary qualification in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology or a related field, along with extensive experience in a high-performance role within elite sports, preferably within AFL/AFLW - you bring the expertise needed to lead effectively. With strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple programs being essential, your leadership and management experience is crucial.
You possess a solid understanding of injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as the ability to work collaboratively across departments to achieve cub-wide success. With the ability to engage and inspire both staff and athletes, your dedication to innovation in high-performance methodologies and commitment to fostering a culture built on Club values is pivotal in enhancing team success.
PERKS & BENEFITS
This position presents the opportunity to work in our newly developed high-performance facility at Casey Fields, as well as AAMI Park, within the Melbourne & Olympic Park Sporting Precinct.
We provide a welcoming, safe, and flexible approach to work and provide an environment that benefits from and enables the best from everyone. Our people thrive within a club that is committed to a standard of excellence and supported by a culture of wellbeing and balance.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children & Young People
Melbourne Football Club is committed to and takes seriously its responsibility to provide an environment for children and young people that is caring, nurturing and safe. We expect representatives of the Club, regardless of their role or level of responsibility, to act to safeguard children and young people, and support such an environment.
This role will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and a Victorian Working with Children Check.