Assistant Coach
Australian Women's Team
Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach
Australian Open Women’s Team
Position description
Position details
Position:
Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach, Australian Open Women’s Team (Aussie
Spirit)
Reports to:
National Teams and Events Manager and Head Coach
Primary purpose of the role
The focus of this role is to provide support to the Head Coach of an Australian squad/team as it
prepares for a program of domestic and international events. The main focus will be the
preparation and participation of the Aussie Spirit at the 2016 15th Women’s Softball World
Championships, Canada, July 2016.
This is a short term appointment, until 31 August 2016.
The role of the Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach is to assist the Head Coach in:

Providing an advanced training program for the continuing development of the athletes
selected as members of an Australian squad/team which will prepare them for competition.

Preparing selected athletes in specialised areas.

Assisting in the development and implementation of offensive/defensive strategies.

On diamond coaching of the Australian team

Any specific duties required by the Head Coach
Essential Criteria

Assistant Coach - Level 4/5 NCAS coaching accreditation or equivalent is essential

Specialist Coach – Level 3/4 NCAS coaching accreditation or equivalent and considerable
expertise in the specialist area required of the Head Coach.

A minimum of two years’ experience coaching elite level softball
Desirable Criteria

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Previous experience coaching at state or national level
Assistant Coach
Australian Women's Team
Key Position Criteria and Personal attributes
Personal

Effective time management and administration skills

An acceptance of irregular and long hours of work

An ability to work effectively in a team environment

Self discipline and integrity within a team

Capacity to travel domestically and overseas for extended periods

Well developed interpersonal skills
Sport acumen

Knowledge of contemporary trends in Softball

A high level of specialist knowledge in offensive play within a high performance sporting
environment

Understanding of the standards and demands of national/international sport

Understanding and empathy for the needs of elite athletes

Understanding of the concepts and application of Sports Science/Sports Medicine
Sport delivery

An ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses in a player's skills

Competence in scouting of a team's performance

An ability to manage individual differences between members of a team

A cooperative and energetic style

Demonstrated success in the role of an assistant coach or Specialist Coach at a sub-elite
or elite level

Competence in using software to analyse and monitor athlete performance
Tasks
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach will:

Assist the Head Coach as required in the preparation of player development and training
programs

Develop specific programs for individual athletes in the Assistant/Specialist Coach's own
area of expertise.

Assist in developing technical programs in the sports science disciplines for the squad/team

Supervise training programs under the direction of the Head Coach

Attend and assist in the supervision of training camps for the athletes

Take responsibility for tasks allocated by the Head Coach at a camp or on tour
Assistant Coach
Australian Women's Team

Assist the Head Coach, when requested; with the review of an athlete's performance

Undertake the on-diamond roles allocated by the Head Coach

Undertake warm up and/or cool down activities allocated by the Head Coach

Report to the Head Coach any matters concerning the athletes which require investigation
and /or disciplinary action

Sign a Softball Australia Officials Agreement and comply with the obligations set out in the
Agreement
Resources
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach will have the following resources available for the execution of
the role:

Other support staff (eg assistant coaches, team administrator, statistician) allocated by the
Head Coach

Assistance from the Softball Australia office as negotiated by the Head Coach with the
National Teams’ and Events Manager or CEO

Assistance and advice from the National Teams’ and Events Manager in relation to
program schedules

Other resources identified and allocated by the Head Coach from time to time

Softball Australia's, Australian Team Regulations and policies
Accountability
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach is appointed and accountable to the Softball Australia CEO
and Head Coach. On tour, they will report to and be accountable to the Head Coach.
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach is expected to develop and maintain effective working
relationships with:

Other officials appointed to the team

All the athletes within the team or squad

National Teams’ and Events Manager

Appointed officials at competitions in which the team is participating

Other persons nominated from time to time by the Head Coach
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach is expected to conform with the policies of Softball Australia
and in particular:

Anti-Doping Policy

eCommunications Policy

Member Protection Policy (which includes Codes of Conduct)

Privacy Policy
Assistant Coach
Australian Women's Team

Sponsorship Policy

Website Terms of Use
Key Performance Indicators
The Assistant Coach/Specialist Coach should expect to negotiate a set of Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) with the Head Coach. These would be reviewed from time to time, usually at the conclusion of
a designated campaign. They may be expected to cover, but are not limited to:

Performance in relation to the tasks allocated by the Head Coach

Overall performance of the team in the areas of Offensive/Defensive play

The development of the skills of athletes

The quality of the coordination between himself/herself and other support staff

His/her overall performance

Adherence to the terms/conditions of any Softball Australia official's agreement and staff
roles and responsibilities

The quality of the working relationship between himself/herself and other staff of Softball
Australia

The quality of the Coaching and Training Programs initiated and/or driven by him/her