Job Description
TITLE OF POSITION:
Head Coach – SBS Bank Otago Sparks
POSITION TYPE:
Part time (contract period & hours to be agreed)
REPORTS TO:
Manager Performance & Talent
LOCATION:
Dunedin
DATE ESTABLISHED:
June 2017
AIM OF OTAGO & NEW ZEALAND CRICKET
A Game for all New Zealanders; A Game for Life
Cricket is recognised as New Zealand’s premier summer sport. Cricket will be a game for all New Zealanders; a game
without barriers – a game that can be played anywhere, by anyone. Whatever the individual circumstances, Kiwis will be
given every reason to celebrate and engage with cricket as their game, for life.
Otago Cricket is one of six Major Associations across NZ with a governance and management responsibility to the wider
Otago and Southland region. Our organisational vision is to inspire our existing and next Generation of Cricketer and
Cricket Fan for Life. Our purpose is to lead the growth of Cricket within our Community; from kids and coaches starting out
on a long and enjoyable cricket journey all the way up to support and success of our flagship teams – the Otago Volts and
the Otago Sparks.
We are committed to a core set of values that will drive our motivation, planning and delivery and will be a strong catalyst to
strengthening the brand and image of Otago Cricket.

Courage, Pride, Commitment, Respect, Unity
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To select and lead a Major Association (MA) domestic Women’s Squad, in accordance with the guidelines outlined by New
Zealand Cricket (NZC).
o
o
To develop an Otago Sparks team that competes successfully in the Women’s Twenty20 and One Day Competitions &
Has total alignment with the development and success of the U21 Otago women’s team that prepares to compete at
national tournament

To coach the team and individuals on and off the field, to a standard of excellence, ensuring that their development needs are
aligned to NZC’s high performance (HP) requirements.

Ensure HP best practices (systems and processes) to achieve player, MA and NZC outcomes and development.
TASK DESCRIPTION (Prime Responsibilities)
Key Task:
Leadership
Expected Outcome:
Essential:




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Establish a team vision, values and performance principles. Furthermore ensure standards and
protocols are clearly stated that fit within the goals of Otago Cricket and NZC.
Align the above to the strategic direction set for Otago Cricket
Provide leadership of the team and team management through effective communication and the
ability to address difficult problems and decisions appropriately.
Provide leadership to a multi-disciplinary team that incorporates tactical, technical, physical and
mental aspects of performance
Build and maintain strong working relationships with the team and team management, both
individually and as a group, using a range of communication styles.
Demonstrate personal credibility, honesty, high integrity, and show an ability to handle pressure
and stress appropriately.
Job Description – SBS Bank Otago Sparks Head Coach – June 2017
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Job Description
Effective team training
Essential:
Provide technical and tactical coaching to individual players and units within the team as

appropriate.
Use and facilitate the use of technical specialists where required.

Develop well-structured and planned training sessions that form part of the long-term periodised

plan of the team and each athlete. These training sessions should be aimed at enhancing
learning opportunities, cover the specific short-term needs of the next game while also addressing
the long-term needs of the individual performance plan (IPP).
Team method
Essential:



Prepare a periodised coaching and physical conditioning programme for the team. This plan will
include input, as necessary, from team management, MA wider staff (e.g., physical conditioners)
and NZC, as appropriate and/or required.
Provides an in-depth analysis of opposition players and team.
Prior to programme commencement, provide Otago Cricket with a clear statement of:
1) Vision and goals for the team.
2) Ideal team profile and game plan for each format.
3) Principles of performance and performance model
4) An update with individual player strengths and weaknesses and roles within those game
plans.
Preferred:
Work closely with the team’s fitness trainer to ensure that the players are provided with an

appropriate programme for them to attain the required level of fitness.
Player development and
appraisal processes
Essential:



Results
Undertake and record player performance expectations with each player before each competition
starts.
Provide regular performance and developmental feedback to each player with reference to the
above developed plans.
Complete and record player performance reviews at the end of each competition and provide
Otago Cricket with a copy no later than 2 weeks after the end of that competition.
Essential:

Commercial /
sponsors/media and
administration
To achieve the best possible match results and the highest possible placing in the competition
Essential:




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OCA Standards

Facilitate and participate in promotional or commercial activities with sponsors as directed by MA
from time to time.
Play a key role in being part of the Otago Cricket “team” by attending scheduled staff meetings,
development opportunities etc
Meet reporting requirements as required.
Act in a positive and professional manner with media
In conjunction with team management ensure appropriate relationship between players and
media
Act at all times in accordance with Otago Cricket policies and procedures and Contractors Code of
Conduct
WORKING EXPERIENCE:


Previous cricket coaching experience at high (domestic) level is essential
Recent experience in cricket at provincial, franchise and/or international level
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Technical Skills (Specific Job
Skills)

Specific knowledge of high performance coaching techniques:
o
Knows how to communicate effectively with players
o
Understands the learning process and training principles
o
Understands the various coaching styles and is clear on their own coaching style
o
Understands long term player development strategy and operational processes
Job Description – SBS Bank Otago Sparks Head Coach – June 2017
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Job Description
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Professional Knowledge
Computer Skills
o
Understands the causes and recognises the symptoms of over training
o
Understands how to reduce the risk of injury to athletes
o
Able to prepare training programs to meet the needs of an individual athlete
o
Able to assist athletes to develop the required skills to learn, train and compete
o
Able to use evaluation tests to monitor training progress and predict performance
o
Understands and able to work closely with support staff to develop the an athlete’s fitness
o
Able to evaluate the athletes’ competition performance
o
Values athlete/player well-being above all else
o
Genuine understanding and appreciation of world’s best performance standards

Strong technical and tactical knowledge of all facets of the game of cricket, particularly Core Playing
Skills

Demonstrated collaborative approach to athlete development

Demonstrated innovation in coaching or related technologies

An intimate knowledge of programme and athlete development

Ability to learn and adapt new learning to professional coaching practice
 Competent in the use of current Microsoft Office Suite products particularly Outlook, Word and Excel
 Ability to quickly acquire knowledge of AMS
QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL:
Minimum Level 2 NZC qualification and ideally holding or working towards a NZC level 3 cricket coach qualification or equivalent


Current New Zealand driver’s licence

Must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand
PREFERRED:
A qualification in teaching or similar discipline

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

Is passionate about cricket

Commitment to Otago Cricket and NZC values and culture

Is a good judge of talent

Seeks feedback, treats all athletes equitably, doesn’t give preferential treatment

Keeps confidences, practices what they preach

Creates trust and commands respect, motivational and inspiring

Listens to athletes, is honest with the team and always in a positive way

Has a high work ethic, shows selflessness and understands that the ‘game’ is bigger than any individual

Willing and able to work in the best interest of NZC

Must be able to travel domestically and balance work/life priorities
Job Description – SBS Bank Otago Sparks Head Coach – June 2017
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Job Description
Responsible For / Relationships:
No. of Staff
Possible contracted support staff including assistant coach, manager, S&C support
Internal relationships
MA staff
External relationships
Players, Otago Cricket high performance team/programme, other MA coaches
_____________________________________________
Signature of Job Holder
_____________________________________________
Date signed
Signature of Chief Executive
_____________________________________________
Date signed
Job Description – SBS Bank Otago Sparks Head Coach – June 2017
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