HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

SANFL; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role in SANFL

Access to AFL events

Competitive leave entitlements

Discounts with SANFL partners

Job summary

SANFL invites an experienced football development leader to drive player and coach development across the South Australian Talent Pathway, delivering programs for U16 and U18 and shaping high‑performance environments where young athletes can reach their potential.

You will mentor coaches, collaborate with AFL stakeholders and lead a multidisciplinary team supporting technical, physical and wellbeing outcomes while undertaking coaching duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in coaching or related field.
• Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation or equivalent.
• Experience in AFL or high-performance sport.
• Proven experience leading staff and developing coaches.
• Knowledge of talent identification and athlete development.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Current SA driver's licence and DHS Working with Children Check.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver player and coach development programs across the South Australian Talent Pathway.
• Strengthen high-performance environments and individual player development planning across club and state talent programs.
• Lead academy coaches, physical performance and talent wellbeing functions for holistic development.
• Build relationships with AFL clubs, SANFL clubs, players and coaches.
• Lead development, mentoring and performance support of U16 and U18 coaches.
• Champion child safeguarding, inclusion and culturally safe practices.
• Provide leadership, people development and reporting across the Talent Team.

Skills

Coaching leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Planning & administration

Education

Bachelor degree in coaching or related discipline

Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation

Tools

Hudl Sportscode

Job description

Shape the next generation of South Australian football talent!

SANFL is seeking an experienced football development leader to drive player and coach development across the South Australian Talent Pathway.

This influential role will lead the development of SANFL Club U16 and U18 coaches, oversee key talent programs and help create safe, inclusive and high-performance environments where young athletes can reach their potential.

About The Role

As a key leader within the SANFL Talent Team, you will design and deliver player and coach development programs, mentor coaches across the SANFL club network and lead a multidisciplinary team supporting technical, physical and wellbeing outcomes. You will also undertake coaching duties as directed and build strong relationships with SANFL Clubs, AFL stakeholders and talent pathway partners.

What you will be doing

• Design and drive player and coach development programs across the South Australian Talent Pathway.
• Strengthen high-performance environments and individual player development planning across club and state talent programs.
• Lead and align academy coaches, physical performance and talent wellbeing functions to support holistic athlete development.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with AFL clubs, SANFL clubs, players, coaches and other key football stakeholders.
• Lead the development, mentoring and performance support of SANFL Club U16 and U18 coaches and coaching groups.
• Champion child safeguarding, inclusion and culturally safe practices across all talent program activities.
• Provide clear leadership, people development and reporting across the Talent Team.

Further details about the position can be found here.

About You

You are an accomplished coach developer and people leader who understands talented youth pathways and knows how to bring out the best in coaches, players and teams. You combine highly developed football knowledge and relationships at the elite level with sound judgement, clear communication and a genuine commitment to safe and inclusive development environments.

To be successful, you will bring

• A relevant bachelor degree in coaching, education, people or a related discipline.
• Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation, or an equivalent qualification in another sport.
• Experience in the AFL industry or a high-performance sporting environment, preferably involving talented youth athletes.
• Proven experience leading staff and developing coaches.
• Strong knowledge of talent identification, athlete development and player development planning.
• Highly developed communication, stakeholder management, planning and administration skills.
• Experience using Hudl Sportscode vision editing software.
• A current South Australian driver licence and DHS Working with Children Check (or able to obtain).

What we offer

• A meaningful leadership role in the South Australian football industry.
• The opportunity to shape coach and player development across the SANFL talent pathway.
• A collaborative, values-led environment connected to clubs, communities and the game.
• Enviable access to AFL football and Adelaide Oval events.
• Competitive leave entitlements.
• Great employee discounts across the SANFL ecosystem, including Mosaic Hotel, X-Golf West Lakes, Adelaide Oval venues and corporate partners.

About SANFL

SANFL plays a central role in the development, promotion and sustainability of Australian football in South Australia. We are guided by our vision, the game loved by all South Australians, and our values: Team First, Authentic, Excellence and Fun.

Applications close: 29 September 2026

Confidential Enquiries

Sean Toohey

Head of Talent & Football Operations

[e-mail]

Belinda Haines

Head People & Culture

[e-mail]

• 8440 6914