The Head of Performance is responsible for the leadership of the Club’s High-Performance Program, delivering a strategy that drives exceptional performance, high standards, accountability, continuous improvement and a world class environment for the Club’s elite athletes to deliver sustained success.

The Head of Performance will execute the strategic framework for the program and drive a vision that inspires the Performance team, as well as be responsible for managing individual disciplines. They will ensure that the program’s components are fully integrated with one another, fostering collaboration with each performance team member.

The performance program encompasses Lightning’s SSN team (including training partners) and Lightning SN reserves team.

The role requires a close working relationship with the Head Coach, Chief Operating Officer, Team Manager, Office Manager and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

High-Performance Operations & Load Management

In collaboration with the Head Coach and key performance staff, develop and maintain integrated team plans that will expose athletes to the physical, technical, tactical and behaviour standards to succeed.
In collaboration with the Head Coach and performance staff lead the monitoring and management of individual athlete load including:
- utilise technology to track, report, monitor and manage including wearable devices, and force plate data, as well as athlete self-reported wellbeing
- guide individual and group training schedules from the data gathered to maximise each player and the team’s performance and well-being
Support the delivery of modified or alternative training sessions for players returning from injury
Monitor player training responses, in conjunction with other performance Coaches and modify or progress training programs based on these responses.
Coordinate the use of sessional specialist training service providers to ensure optimal delivery of physical performance programs.
Design and produce the weekly training schedule and work with nominated stakeholders to ensure it is communicated in a timely manner.
Work with the Netball Operations Manager and other stakeholders to communicate schedules and requirements.
Read, understand, and ensure that performance programs operate within Netball Australia’s “SSN Competition & Compliance Rules”, “SSN Collective Players’ Agreement (CPA)” and “Integrity Framework Policies”.
Read, understand and ensure the scope of services, including from external service providers, are meeting required standards in line with the Sports Medicine Policy and other relevant policies and procedures.
Lead the processes for regular athletic performance testing and interpretation of results, with a view to determining the most appropriate training methods to develop players.
- use an evidence based approach to identify key metrics required to optimise netball performance
- report this information to the performance team and create a program framework to develop players individually and as a team
Work with the coaches and the performance analyst to identify required data to understand and improve team strategies and player performance in matches.
Lead athlete readiness and recovery at all home and away matches including prehab, warm-up and bench management.
Work with the Team Manager and other stakeholders to manage the transition of all athletes in and out of the Lightning performance program (including pregnancy).

Strength & Conditioning

Set the strategy for the physical development of strength and power of all SCL, SCL reserves and Training Partners and SC Thunder players with the coaching staff and other stakeholders.
Develop, implement, and evaluate specialised and individualised strength and power programs tailored for each player, to ensure performance optimisation and injury prevention and management.
Supervise all strength and power gym sessions with SSN and SN reserves athletes, with support from other performance staff as required.
Work with coaches, sports science and medical staff in an inter-disciplinary, integrated, collaborative team to optimise performance, athlete health and wellbeing, including appropriate assessment and reporting.
Lead the physical preparation and development (speed, agility, endurance, skill and power) of SCL players through court-based game specific trainings developed in consultation with coaches and other experts.
Lead, deliver and coordinate end stage rehabiltaion of SCL players in consultation with the medical team, Performance Analyst and Head Coach.
Manage the load management and monitoring of the SCL Players utilsing the Club’s tracking systems.
Utilise testing data from Netball competition and practice environments to help enhance and progress the physical preparation of the players.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with other performance service personnel within SCL programs as well as with UniSC staff.
Attend SCL coaching and performance staff meetings as required.
Liaise with national/international teams to manage physical performance for SCL players selected for national/international teams.

Key Skills & Attributes

Understanding of athlete development and performance pathways/drivers in team sport
Highly self-motivated with an intrinsic desire to strive for excellence and continuous improvement
Ability to contribute to a positive and collaborative performance culture
Excellent leadership skills with experience in building, motivating and managing teams
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Excellent relationship building and influencing skills
Works well under pressure and has a strong attention to detail
Lead by example and have integrity and willingness to model the values of the club
Sound organisation and planning skills with a demonstrated ability to manage time and resources
High degree of professional ethics and integrity
Demonstrated ability to have open and honest conversations, delivering balanced feedback and delivering critical messages whilst maintaining relationships
Solution focussed with strong problem solving, initiative and issues resolution skills across multiple stakeholders
Ability to effectively leverage and apply expertise from relevant support services to ensure success

Preferred Experience & Knowledge

Significant experience working in high performance, elite or professional sport leadership roles, with international/national experience
Demonstrated experience and success in managing integrated multi-disciplinary high performance elite sport programs
Proven experience developing elite athletes including devising and implementing successful programs and individual performance plans
Significant experience in physical performance/strength & conditioning and managing athlete load
Technical understanding of elite netball is highly desirable
Experience in player tracking systems/GPS
Experience in video & data analysis software/tools
Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications

Sunshine Coast Lightning

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Head of Performance