Position: Head Coach – New Zealand Wheel Blacks

Position Type: Fixed Term (2024 – 2028 with review 2026)

Department: High Performance

Reports To: NZWR Board 

Location: Flexible Remote

Purpose of New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby - Rugby is in our country’s sporting DNA. We’re wired for it, love it and play various forms for life. Across the generations the sport brings families and communities together for play and enjoyment - the rugby whānau. New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby (NZWR) is emerging as a leading national disability sports organisation - on and off the court. A truly gender equal game, wheelchair rugby is alive with growth and opportunity. Consistently in the top ten world rankings since the evolution of the game with a Paralympic Gold Medal along the way. The continuous development of quality programmes for regional community sport and the delivery of world-class events and tournaments all point to the increase in wheelchair rugby’s profile as well as the platform for growth. We are at an exciting point in our journey where we are making our sport more accessible and more enjoyable for all.

Role Purpose :The purpose of the NZWR Head Coach role is:

• To optimise the performance of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks team and support the NZWR Development Squad;
• To plan and develop the national team program in conjunction with NZWR and NZWR appointed selectors.
• To lead the national team program’s continued development of a high performance culture.

Outcomes

• Podium performances or ranking improvement of the Wheel Blacks team at international events;
• Provide a culture for sustainable success where player and staff wellbeing is paramount, and an environment where players, coaches and support staff can be at their best to perform to the levels expected of an international programme;
• Team and individual players are well planned and prepared with clear understanding of team strategies, individual focus areas and performance targets;
• Delivery of high quality and effective daily training environments;
• Lead a robust and well-planned selection process and operate as the convenor of selectors;
• Strategic alignment with NZWR High Performance, CEO, Board and High Performance systems.

Key Responsibilities

National Wheelchair Rugby’s High Performance programme

• Lead the development and implementation of the NZWR Wheel Blacks high performance programme and contribute to the NZWR high performance strategy.
• Drives a high performance and positive culture within the Wheel Blacks team embracing an environment of honesty, trust, transparency, open communication and a high level of care.
• In collaboration with NZWR, align the Wheel Blacks and Development Squad programme, underpinning a talent identification programme and overall New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby high performance strategy.
• Take an active role in succession planning for national players and coaches.

Hands-on Coaching

• Lead the coaching and preparation of the Wheel Blacks team and wider National Squad athletes.
• Coach and lead the coaching of other nationally identified athletes in both a team environment and individual sessions.
• Lead the training of athletes to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for selection and elite performance.

Daily Training Environment

• In collaboration with NZWR manage an effective daily training environment for NZWR Wheel Blacks and National Squad athletes that motivates and enhances performance.
• Provide high level coaching expertise, technical and tactical direction to assistant coaches and the National Squad athletes.
• With the support of NZWR, lead the effective planning and integrated delivery of high-quality performance services that support the Wheel Blacks team, National Squad athletes and Development Squad.

Planning and Monitoring

• In conjunction with NZWR and key high performance staff, develop, implement and communicate an annual campaign plan based on the four-year Paralympic Games cycle and other pinnacle events including the Asia Oceania Zonals, World Championships, Canada Cup, and other invitational and qualification events.
• Work alongside NZWR Development Coach on planning for development opportunities globally.
• Support development alongside NZWR of a holistic Individual Performance Plan (IPP) for each identified athlete, and through key staff, ensure the IPP is monitored and updated to maximise potential with annual reporting to NZWR.
• Support in the management of the international programme and competition budgets, including prebrief and debrief reports.

Culture & Leadership

• Develop future leaders and create an environment that encourages and supports elite performance
• Lead, develop and coach direct reports and ensure clarity of roles/responsibilities and appropriate people management practices are in place.

Selection

• Hold the position of Convenor of Selectors. Actively and regularly communicate with NZWR selectors to aid selection of Wheel Blacks Team and squads.
• Contribute to the management and development of the New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby selection policy and framework.
• Lead the selection of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks Team and National Squad in compliance with the national selection policy and framework. Communicate directly and in a timely manner to players re selection process and criteria.

Self-Management and Other

• Actively drive your own personal development and monitor your own performance, striving to optimise personal health, well-being and life balance.
• Participate in and implement disciplinary action as required with team manager
• Conduct other reasonable duties as directed by the NZWR Board Chair or CEO.

Experience and Knowledge

Experience

• Demonstrated successful experience coaching elite athletes at the national or international level in high pressure environments.
• Experience and proven capability in the holistic development of athletes and programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, organising and implementing a comprehensive high performance coaching programme for elite teams and athletes
• Demonstrated experience of building and driving a high performance culture while fostering player and staff wellbeing
• Demonstrate and develop tactical and strategic knowledge of wheelchair rugby
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the current rules and regulations, classification system and protest procedures

Qualifications and Knowledge

• High performance coaching experience/accreditation or equivalent
• Outstanding wheelchair rugby knowledge of individual and team principles including techniques, tactics, coaching trends and international developments.
• Understanding and application with a willingness to continue learning of the principles of coaching, sport science, medicine and technology within a high performance programme.
• Knowledge of the New Zealand High Performance System, and the context of the Wheel Blacks in World Wheelchair Rugby

Competencies

Relationship Building

• Builds and maintains strong and trusted relationships with athletes, staff and stakeholders.
• Values and supports team members in an open and approachable manner, treating others respectfully
• Represents NZWR where possible at National Championships, coaching seminars and promotional functions upon reasonable request.
• Acts as an ambassador for technical matters related to NZWR (when required) and at all times acts in a manner that will enhance the reputation, image and character of NZWR

Communication

• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills as a clear, consistent and engaging communicator ensuring buy in from a diverse range of stakeholders across all levels of the game
• Gives and receives information and feedback in a constructive and fair manner, encouraging and maintaining two-way dialogue on issues
• Assists with directing the teams support staff to meet the athletes needs during training sessions, camps and tournaments, in conjunction with the Team Manager.

Planning and Organising

• Highly organised with attention to detail
• Plans and prepares in advance and keeps track of activities
• Keeps self and team focused on key priorities by setting milestones

Team Culture

• Brings a high level of energy, motivation and enthusiasm to the team, acting as a role model to others
• Fosters staff and player wellbeing and proactively manages conflict
• Ensures joint ownership of goal setting, commitments, and accomplishments, Involves everyone in the team

Drive for results

• Strong on implementation – passionate, driven and focused on getting to the desired outcome
• Makes timely, informed decisions that take into account the facts, goals, constraints, and risks

Vision and Strategy

• Leads vision and values, focuses on the big picture
• Leads long term strategy and planning

Relationships

Main internal stakeholders

NZWR Senior Leadership Team and Board

National team players and support team

High Performance Leadership Team

Main external stakeholders

NZWR Members

Paralympics NZ

Sport NZ

High Performance Sport NZ

Key Competitions

2025 – Asia Oceania Zone Championship

2026 - World Qualifiers and World Championship; Canada Cup

2027 – Asia Oceania Zone Championship;

2028 – PQT; LA28 Paralympics; Canada Cup

Other key dates (including training camps and 2024-2028 competitions) will be determined in consultation with NZWR

Position Type

The role of NZWR Head Coach is for a fixed term of two years effective from the completion of the Paris 2024 Paralympics until the completion of the 2026 World Competition.

Pending a successful review at the conclusion of the 2026 World Championships, the coach may be offered a further extension, by mutual agreement between themselves and NZWR, through to the completion of the LA2028 Paralympics.

Remuneration

The position is honorary with the potential for a professional development budget to be discussed upon appointment. NZWR will pay all reasonable expenses incurred when the head coach is involved with approved team activities. This includes documented phone calls, travel and accommodation expenses. If the head coach is injured when they are involved in team activities, they will be covered under ACC or the team insurance policy.

Termination

If for any reason the terms of the contract are not able to be fulfilled, either party may terminate it by giving four weeks notice in writing.

Applications

Applications will be received on a rolling basis and interviewed as such. Applications will be open until 1700hrs Thursday 22 August, 2024.

Applications for the position of NZWR Head Coach should include details of all relevant experience. All applications will be confidential. Please send applications or enquiries via email to: president@wheelchairrugby.org.nz

Image: Kotare Creek.  The image is Gareth Lynch, Wheel Black fending off Great Britain at the 2022 World Championships.

Article added: Monday 12 August 2024