Position:                                     Assistant Coach – New Zealand Wheel Blacks

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

Department:                               High Performance

Reports To:                                 Head Coach

Location:                                    Flexible Remote (Auckland Camps)

Purpose of New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby

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 Assistant Coach role is:

• To optimise the performance of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks team.
• To support the planning and development of the national team program in conjunction with the NZWR Head Coach.
• To support the national team program’s continued development of a high performance culture.

Key Responsibilities

National Wheelchair Rugby’s High Performance programme

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the NZWR Wheel Blacks high performance programme.
• Drive 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.
• Take an active role in succession planning for national players and coaches.

Hands-on Coaching

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

Daily Training Environment

• Support an effective daily training environment for NZWR Wheel Blacks and National Squad athletes that motivates and enhances performance.
• Lead the fitness tracking and reporting as required by the Head Coach.

Planning and Monitoring

• Work alongside NZWR Development Team on planning for development opportunities globally.
• Support post camp and competition surveys and feedback.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in the holistic development of athletes and programmes.

• Demonstrate and develop tactical and strategic knowledge of wheelchair rugby.
• Demonstrate a competent knowledge of the current rules and regulations, classification system and protest procedures.

• Coaching experience preferred but open to learning on the job.
• High level wheelchair rugby knowledge of individual and team principles.
• Understanding and application with a willingness to continue learning of the principles of coaching, within a high performance programme.

Competencies

• 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

• 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 Head Coach.

• Highly organised with attention to detail
• Plans and prepares in advance and keeps track of activities

• 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

• Strong on implementation – passionate, driven and focused on getting to the desired outcome

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, email a cover letter addressing how your experience supports the requirements of the position to Cherie Harris, Executive Chair, NZWR at president@wheelchairrugby.org.nz by December 16, 2024, at midday.

Article added: Tuesday 10 December 2024