Coach and Support staff form the volunteer backbone of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport in providing the on-field, technical coaching of the Academy's sporting programs.
On average, close to 70 coach and support staff take up the opportunity to form a part of the Academy's Coach program each year.
The greater majority of Academy coaches are sourced from within the Academy's catchment area, with the bulk of coaches spending multiple years within the program.
As with our Academy athletes, our coaches are active participants within their own sporting communities; with many taking up multiple coach and support roles within their Club and Association organisations, undertaking their local club and representative coaching commitments whilst also coaching within the Academy programs.
Coach and Support staff should familiarise themselves with the following information prior to applying for a role within the South West Sydney Academy of Sport.
Background Information
Candidates applying should familiarise themselves with the following key information prior to applying.
- Coach and Support Staff shall be a minimum of 18 years or older.
- Unless the applicant is a former athlete, who if applying for an Apprentice / Trainee Coach position, shall have been a previous athlete within a Regional Academy of Sport program, and must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
- Applications received outside of the published timeframe will be treated as an Expression of Interest, and may not result in the application proceeding should there not be a vacant position.
- The Academy where practical, appoints coach and support staff on a two-year cycle, with an annual review; as such all positions may not be vacant or 'called for' each year.
- All applicants will go through a vetting process, which may include consultation with the State Sporting Organisation. As such not all applicants may proceed to an interview.
- Where possible, unsuccessful applicants will be provided feedback. The Academy reserves the right to appoint coach and support staff it deems are best fit for the Academy program structure, irrespective of the qualifications or experience of the applicant.
- Unsuccessful applicants may be offered a position within any Academy Community Coach Development and/or Education program.
- All coach and support staff positions within the Academy are deemed voluntary in nature. Whilst an honorarium may be provided to successful applicants, this amount is discretionary in nature, and should not be the determining factor in applying for a position.
- Coach and Support Staff are engaged by the Academy, and not the SSO, to participate within the Academy Sport Programs. As such, primary communication regarding any SSO position or MoU expectations is to be conducted through the Academy Sports Program Manager and not directly to the SSO.
- Coach and Support staff are reminded that the programs of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport form a part of the high-performance pathway programs of the State Sporting Organisation. Therefore, whilst coaches may have the opportunity to impart their own knowledge and drills, and are active in the presentation of the Academy sport program, coaches must adhere to the guidelines and curriculum set down first and foremost by the Academy. Failure to do so will result in the coach or support staff's position not being renewed, or removal from the program.
Time Commitment
The Coach and Support staff time commitment required for each sport program will vary based on a number of factors including, the coaches availability and commitment to their own representative club and sporting programs, as well as the expectations and requirements of the sport program MoU with the sports Governing body.
Programs are however designed to compliment the athlete's representative commitments and competition schedules.
Whilst at the discretion of the program Head Coach, most programs require 3-4 hours each session, with these sessions scheduled on a fortnightly to monthly basis of on-court/field training.
Additional time outside of that training may be required for programming such as preparing training plans, individual athlete performance plans/feedback and attendance at any education or strength and conditioning program requirements outside of the regular training timetable.
The Academy actively encourages and promotes coaches to be involved within a representative club and team environment alongside that of serving the athletes within the Academy Sport Programs.
Accountability and Additional Requirements
Our coach and support staff have a passion for the development of junior athletes within the South West Sydney community, and it is for this reason that we strongly encourage coach and support staff to participate within the Academy's programs, allowing them access to program development and training opportunities with athletes in high-performance pathways, alongside their own club and representative teams training and competition.
Please note all coach and support staff are required to have completed the following courses available on the Sport Integrity Australia e-learning hub, and provide a copy of their Certificate of Learning prior to commencement within the program.
(Access to course content is free via Sport Integrity Australia)
- Anti-Doping Fundamentals Course
- Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction
- Introduction to Illicit Drugs in Sport
- PBTR - Inclusive Coaching
- Competition Manipulation and Sports Betting
- Clean Sport 101
- Coaches Course (Anti Doping Module)
Coach and Support Staff are also required to participate in additional education (predominately online) and training opportunities provided by the Academy as a part of their ongoing education and professional development. Failure to participate may result in the coaches position being withdrawn.
