About Us The Essendon Football Club - “The Bombers” - are a professional sporting organisation in the Australian Football League, home to several teams, including AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and Wheelchair Football programs. But we’re more than the game. At Essendon, unity binds us. We firmly believe that our strength comes from standing together as One Club, embracing our rich diversity, and uniting around a shared purpose. Our passion fuels every kick, every play, and every decision. The essence of the Essendon legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian sporting calendar, through significant events such as the ANZAC Day and Dreamtime clashes, underscoring our commemoration and connection to national identity. Our heritage sets us apart, shaping our ethos and inspiring our journey. We strive to be better every day, pushing the boundaries and relentlessly pursuing excellence. But amidst the intensity of competition, respect remains paramount. We care about our impact on others, whether it's our teammates, opponents, or our community. When we ‘Don the Sash’, we do so with unity, passion, excellence, and respect guiding our every move, Always Striving toward our next triumph on the premiership stage. About The Role The Essendon Football Club is seeking a dynamic, values-driven leader to join our Football Department in a unique dual-capacity role. This position offers the opportunity to drive elite performance as an AFLW Assistant Coach while simultaneously shaping the future of our club as the James Hird Academy – Women’s (JHAW) Coach. You will be a key architect in our women’s program, responsible for working closely with our AFLW Senior Coach and coaching panel on the tactical evolution of our senior AFLW players and the strategic development of our Next Generation Academy (NGA) and Father-Daughter talent. Through our James Hird Academy – Women’s (JHAW) you will shape the future of our club, identifying and nurturing the next generation of talent (16–19-year-olds) to ensure a seamless transition into the AFLW system. Key Accountabilities Elite Coaching & Strategy: Collaborate with the coaching panel to design and implement game models, team structures, and high-pressure training programs for the AFLW squad. Line & Individual Leadership: Take specific accountability for an assigned line and drive Individual Performance Plans (IPPs) through targeted craft and evidence-based feedback. Talent Pathway Management: Lead the recruitment and delivery of the JHAW program, aligning the NGA and Father-Daughter pathways with the Club’s senior standards. Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Build robust relationships with AFLNT, local leagues, and Indigenous/multicultural organisations, including seasonal travel to the Tiwi Islands and Darwin. Performance Analysis: Present game-related content and conduct comprehensive reviews to evaluate both line and individual execution. Culture & Standards: Model high-performance behaviors and maintain a strong focus on player wellbeing and safeguarding. About You You are a visible leader who thrives on building respectful, high-impact relationships. You understand that elite coaching is as much about people as it is about tactics. You have a proven track record of helping athletes perform under pressure and a genuine passion for the pathway of female talent. Essential Criteria: Significant coaching experience within AFLW, AFL, VFL/W, or Coates League. Level 2 Coaching Accreditation (or above) and a relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence culture and role-model high-performance behaviours. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Current Driver’s Licence and Working with Children Check (WWCC). Permanent Residency or appropriate valid working rights. Desirable Attributes Experience specifically working with female athletes. Innovation in teaching methodologies to suit diverse learning preferences. A strong connection to the values and heritage of the Essendon Football Club. Why Join Us? This is more than just a coaching job; it is a chance to leave a legacy. Throughout the AFLW off-season, you will continue to provide value to the Club based on your unique skillset, ensuring a year-round impact on our football strategy. To Apply Please submit your application as soon as possible as shortlisting will commence immediately. Please include in your cover letter why you are a great fit for this role, and why you want to work with Essendon Football Club. Cover letters should be no more than one page, outlining what you can bring to this position. With our commitment to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld. This includes ensuring all our people hold a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check. All applications will be treated with respect and confidentiality, and we endeavour to provide timely responses. We politely ask not to be approached by recruitment agencies at this time.
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