National Men's Head Coach - Kookaburras, Hockey Australia
- Lead the Kookaburras to international success
- Olympic and Commonwealth Games Sport
- Attractive package, open to world's best coaches
- Perth based (Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley, WA)
- $130million+ world-class HP centre opening 2027
The Kookaburras, Australia’s men’s national hockey team, is one of the most successful teams in international field hockey, known for their speed, skill, and tactical excellence. They have won multiple Olympic medals, including gold in 2004, and several World Cup titles, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the sport. Their relentless attacking style, strong defence, and adaptability have earned them a reputation for excellence.
The National Men’s Head Coach for the Kookaburras will lead the Australian men’s national hockey team to sustained success on the world stage. Reporting to the High Performance Director, the Head Coach will drive selection, preparation, coaching, and performance of the National Men’s team and Senior Squad, with a focus on achieving success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Additionally, the role involves preparing the team for other major international events, including the 2026 World Cup, and building a foundation for continued success into the 2032 Olympic cycle.
In 2027, Hockey Australia will move into a $130+million state-of-the-art High Performance training facility to support the continuous development of athletes and teams.
The Head Coach role requires not only technical expertise but also strong, inspirational leadership to guide and mentor the player group on their journey to elite performance. The Head Coach must foster a high-performance culture focused on both excellence and personal growth, creating an environment where players can reach their full potential on and off the field. A proven record building strong team culture, grounded in trust, respect, and resilience, is an essential requirement for the Kookaburras Head Coach.
You will work closely with the High Performance Director and stakeholders across the national network to create a ‘World Best’ program that maximises input and investment. Your leadership will be key in driving athlete performance, building capacity, and enhancing well-being. This includes contributing to high-performance coach development, talent identification, elite player growth, and succession planning. Additionally, you will develop and communicate a comprehensive National and Olympic four-year plan to align with long-term strategic goals.
To succeed, you must have a proven track record of delivering high-performance results at the elite international level. Leading high-performance teams effectively is essential to maximise the contributions of coaches, staff, and players. Deep knowledge of coaching trends, advancements in sports technology, and performance analysis is required, along with incorporating sports science, nutrition, psychology, and medical expertise.
With a strategic mindset and strong operational leadership, you will ensure long-term objectives are met through effective daily decision-making. Excellent communication skills will help you build partnerships, influence stakeholders, and instil a winning culture within the team. As a visionary leader, you will keep the Kookaburras at the forefront of international hockey, consistently competing for podium finishes at major events.
This is a global search and Hockey Australia is open to considering world's best candidates. To apply you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to work in Australia, including being able to apply for and obtain the necessary work visa.
If you are looking for an exciting new challenge in your career then apply now!
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How to Apply
Please note Sportspeople Recruitment will commence screening and interviewing for this role immediately. If you are intending to apply, please do so now.
Applications Close: 5pm Monday 7 October, 2024 - we reserve the right to close the role early if sufficient merit applications are received.
Application Format: Candidates must complete and submit the COMPULSORY Sportspeople Recruitment Application Form (attached to this advertisement) at the time of applying. The Form contains questions against which we require your specific response prior to considering your application. A 1-2 page letter of introduction should accompany the Application Form saved as one MS Word file.
The National Men's Hockey Coach (Kookaburras) search and recruitment process is being managed exclusively by Sportspeople Recruitment.
In the first instance general enquiries should be directed to Scott Oakhill on 0408 258 337 or FREECALL AUSTRALIA 1800 634 388 or +61 2 9555 5000.