VFL & VFLW Head Trainer

Williamstown Football Club; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

On-site facilities

Supportive team culture

Job summary

Williamstown Football Club in Melbourne is seeking a dedicated Sports Trainer Manager to lead the trainer team across VFL and VFLW. You will oversee medical operations during training and match days, coordinate concussion protocols, and ensure high standards of athlete care and documentation.

The role requires leadership, allied health qualifications, and the ability to manage equipment, inventory and medical logistics within club budgets.

Qualifications

• Allied Health or manual therapy qualification required.
• Level 2 Sports Trainer status or ability to obtain.
• Current First Aid & CPR.
• Working With Children Check.
• Experience in semi-elite football programs.
• Strong taping and acute injury management knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sports Trainer team across VFL and VFLW and onboard staff.
• Coordinate medical operations at training and match days.
• Manage medical stock, equipment and budgets.
• Support concussion protocols and baseline testing.
• Maintain SOAP notes, injury reporting and documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Concussion protocols

Athlete care

Education

Allied Health qualification

Level 2 Sports Trainer

Tools

Inventory management software

Job description

Williamstown Football Club - Williamstown VIC

This role focuses on match-day and training medical operations, concussion support, management and leadership of the sports trainer team, and coordination of medical logistics across the VFL and VFLW programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Player Care & Clinical Support

• Deliver pre-training and pre-match strapping, manual therapy and treatment modalities for VFL and VFLW athletes.
• Provide treatment within scope of practice to VFL and VFL athletes.
• Attend 1x VFL and 1x VFLW training session weekly, with additional attendance as required to replace unavailable Sports Trainers.
• Attend all VFL match days to provide sideline acute injury care, first aid, taping, wound care, and general athlete support.
• Support VFLW match days on an as-needed basis at the discretion of the HPM/VFLW Medical Team.
• Assist the medical team on game day with:
  • first aid
  • wound care
  • manual therapy and treatment modalities
  • player management and communication
• Conduct baseline concussion testing (non-diagnostic).
• Support the medical and high-performance team with acute injury management, assessment, rehabilitation, testing and any reasonable support withing the scope of practice.
• Complete any necessary SOAP notes for treatments/assessments in line with club and medicolegal requirements and assist with the maintenance of injury reporting and record keeping.
• Assist the Club Doctor with concussion protocol administration, including data collection and athlete guidance (not diagnosis).
• Attend weekly medical meetings (45-60 minutes).
• Assist with player medical follow-up on an as-needed basis, including:
  • referral letters
  • assisting players with booking medical imaging
  • assisting with specialist appointments
  • tracking imaging or specialist reports as directed by the Head Physiotherapist, High-Performance Manager or Club Doctor.

2. Training & Match-Day Operations

• Coordinate the smooth operation of all medical and sports trainer tasks at training and matches.
• Prepare all medical stock for both program's training sessions and match days across pre-season and in-season.
• Set up medical stock and workspace at all required club and off-site facilities.
• Pack away all medical equipment, bags and supplies post-match and post-training.
• Maintain the medical room to a clean, organised and professional standard.
• Prepare medical equipment for interstate travel (packing only -no transport responsibility).
• Maintain medical equipment to standard in conjunction with the General Manager, Football ensuring readiness and appropriate documentation.
• Lead, mentor and supervise the Sports Trainer team across both VFL and VFLW.
• Independently hire and onboard sports trainers to club standard.
• Conduct and lead educational sessions to ensure trainers meet required standards for:
  • Taping
  • On-field performance
  • Sideline operations
  • Emergency response procedures within educational scope
• Ensure all Sports Trainers maintain:
  • Level 2 Sports Trainer accreditation
  • Current First Aid & CPR
  • Working With Children Check
• Provide weekly/daily communication, expectations and updates to all trainers
• Organise monthly professional development for the trainer group.
• Maintain a positive, supportive, cohesive team culture.

4. Scheduling & Logistics

• Create and maintain a 4-6 week rolling roster for all Sports Trainers across VFL and VFLW, including interstate travel as needed.
• Manage trainer availability, replacements and last-minute changes.
• Collect and manage emergency contact details and relevant information for the Sports Trainer group.
• Ensure adequate trainer coverage is provided at all required sessions and match days.
• Assist with medical logistics, such as bookings for imaging or specialist appointments, when requested by medical staff.

5. Medical Operations & Supplies

• Independently order and maintain all medical supplies through the Club's preferred supplier systems, within the medical budget.
• Work with the Club Doctor to ensure all supplies are:
  • In-date
  • Organised
  • Appropriate for use
  • Accessible during training and games
• Maintain full inventory of:
  • Medical bags
  • Taping kits
  • Wound care items
  • PPE
  • Emergency equipment
• Provide monthly invoices for all Sports Trainers under your management.
• Provide your own monthly invoice to the Club.

6. Qualifications & Experience

• Allied Health or manual therapy qualification (e.g. Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, or Myotherapy or Remedial Massage Therapy)
• Level 2 Sports Trainer (or ability to obtain).
• Current First Aid & CPR.
• Working With Children Check.
• Experience in semi-elite or community-elite football programs.
• Strong taping, acute injury management and sideline care knowledge.
• Confidence supporting concussion protocols (non-diagnostic role).
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong organisation, communication and time management skills.

7. Key Relationships

Reports to:

• Head Physiotherapist/Head of Medical (Direct)
• General Manager, Football (Department Head)

Direct reports:

• Sports Trainer Team

You will work closely with VFL & VFLW:

• Physiotherapy Team
• High Performance Managers
• Sports Trainer Group
• Coaching Staff
• Club Admin & Volunteers

8. Personal Attributes

• Well-organised, calm, reliable and committed to high standards.
• Strong communicator with good judgment.
• Confident in leadership roles while collaborative and approachable.
• Athlete-focused, practical and adaptable