VFLW Assistant Coach

Essendon Football Club; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 41,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to Wellbeing program

Leadership development

Commercial partner discounts

Job summary

Essendon Football Club is seeking a VFLW Assistant Coach to support our playing group and work under the VFLW Senior Coach. Based at The Hangar, Melbourne, the role requires delivering coaching, mentoring and game-day support across the VFLW program.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, implement club strategies and provide feedback to players. The role demands evening training, strong communication and a commitment to our values and performance goals.

Qualifications

• Excellent football knowledge and articulation of the game.
• Ability to teach football fundamentals and breakdown skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills with players and staff.
• Understanding of game strategies, playing styles and opposition analysis.
• Ability to plan and execute drills and training sessions.
• Willingness to work irregular hours around VFLW night training and games.
• Previous AFL/state/NAB league level experience.
• Minimum Level 2 coaching qualification.
• Strong personal ethics and integrity in leadership decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching, teaching and developmental support to the VFLW playing group.
• Assist and coach the VFLW Senior Coach.
• Help implement EFC team strategies and structures for the VFLW group.
• Assist with all training sessions, match committee and match day requirements.
• Meet with line group and individual players to give feedback on game and training performance.
• Develop individual performance plans through craft and education with players.
• Coordinate with medical and high performance staff on player participation.
• Maintain high-level communication and trust with stakeholders in the football department.
• Be a visible role model and deliver on club values in actions.

Skills

Coaching knowledge

Teaching drills

Interpersonal skills

Planning drills/training

Energy and work ethic

Education

Level 2 coaching qualification

Job description

About Us

Are you an experience coach looking to advance your skills in a professional football environment? This is your chance to join an elite sporting organisation as Essendon Football Club look to appoint an Assistant Coach to 'Don the Sash' and support our VFLW team based at The Hangar, Melbourne Airport.

The Essendon Football Club - "The Bombers" - are a professional sporting organisation in the Australian Football League, home to several teams, including AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and Wheelchair Football programs. But we're more than the game. At Essendon, unity binds us. We firmly believe that our strength comes from standing together as One Club, embracing our rich diversity, and uniting around a shared purpose. Our passion fuels every kick, every play, and every decision.

The essence of the Essendon legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian sporting calendar, through significant events such as the ANZAC Day and Dreamtime clashes, underscoring our commemoration and connection to national identity. Our heritage sets us apart, shaping our ethos and inspiring our journey. We strive to be better every day, pushing the boundaries and relentlessly pursuing excellence. But amidst the intensity of competition, respect remains paramount. We care about our impact on others, whether it's our teammates, opponents, or our community. When we 'Don the Sash', we do so with unity, passion, excellence, and respect guiding our every move, Always Striving toward our next triumph on the premiership stage.

About the role

This role is a max-term part-time role reporting to the VFLW Senior Coach, you will work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary department. As our VFLW Assistant Coach, you will provide expertise to our playing group, demonstrate strong communication with key stakeholders and operate within the direction of the VFLW Senior Coach.

As our VFLW Assistant Coach, you will be responsible for:

• Providing coaching, teaching and developmental support to the VFLW playing group.
• Providing assistance and coaching support to the VFLW Senior Coach.
• Working with the VFLW Senior Coach to implement EFC team strategies and structures to the VFLW playing group.
• Assist with all training sessions, match committee and match day requirements.
• Meeting with line group and individual players to give feedback on game and training performance.
• Working closely with players to implement individual performance plans through craft and education.
• Strong communication with the medical and high performance team to ensure an understanding of the ability of each player to participate in training and games.
• Ensuring a high level of communication and trust between key stakeholders within the broader football department.
• Being aware of player wellbeing and communicating concerns with appropriate staff.
• Act as visible role model and deliver on our values in decision making, behaviour and actions.

About you

We invite coaches from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for these roles. To be considered for the role, candidates must have the following skills and experiences:

• Excellent football knowledge and articulation of the game.
• Ability to teach football fundamentals and break down specific skills and roles.
• High level of interpersonal skills, with the ability to form professional and respectful relationships with players and broader football staff.
• A thorough understanding of game strategies, playing styles and opposition analysis.
• Ability to plan and execute drills and training sessions.
• Exceptional work ethic and ability to provide a high level of energy in the workplace as well as work irregular hours around VFLW night training and games.
• Previous experience at an AFL, state league, or NAB league level.
• Minimum Level 2 coaching qualification.
• Exhibit high levels of personal ethics and integrity in decision making, management and leadership behaviours.

The Perks

• Access to our Wellbeing Partner - Converge which supports a Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and Healthy Workplace.
• Continuous professional development - to compete at our best we have to keep learning. It's an expectation and a commitment we make to everyone at EFC. All EFC people will have access to the Essendon Leadership Academy which consists of formal learning, coaching and mentoring, to support you in achieving your career goals.
• But wait there's more - You will have access to great benefits and discounts through our Commercial Partners. Free onsite parking at our premium workspace, The Hangar, and more.

Please keep reading...

Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised folks tend to only apply when they check every box. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point above, please still get in touch. We'd love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.

We pride ourselves on creating an environment of shared spirit of passion, innovation, and inclusivity. As an Equal Opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of how we do business. We are united in upholding our Club-wide values and are consistently setting the benchmark both on and off the field as we strive to win our next premierships. And we wouldn't be an elite footy club if we didn't celebrate. All our wins matter, on and off the field, we love to reward and recognise our people from monthly barbecues to tickets to the Crichton Medal and Brownlow.

Applications close 22nd November 2026

With our commitment to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld. This includes ensuring all our people hold a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

All applications will be treated with respect and confidentiality, including timely responses.

We politely ask not to be approached by recruitment agencies at this time.