Participation Coordinator
Date: 28 Aug 2026
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, AU
Company: Australian Football League
Join the team shaping the future of Australia’s game.
This is your chance to do work that has real impact, in an organisation that moves fast, aims high and plays a meaningful role in the lives of millions across the country through football.
Every role at the AFL helps progress the game, so more people can love it, connect with it and see what is possible through it.
The opportunity
Help more people discover, enjoy and stay connected to Australian football.
As Participation Coordinator, you will support the growth and quality of NAB AFL Auskick, Community Football, School Football and alternate formats. Working across various locations, you will build strong relationships, coordinate engaging programmes and create participation pathways for schools, clubs and communities.
This is an opportunity to make a practical contribution to growing the game in established, new and emerging markets.
What you’ll own
You will coordinate participation programmes and relationships that attract, transition and retain participants across the game.
You’ll add value through:
- Managing productive relationships with AFL Victoria, Auskick Coordinators, School Ambassadors, AFL Clubs, community groups, leagues and clubs
- Coordinating quality NAB AFL Auskick programme delivery and supporting participation growth
- Recruiting Auskick Coordinators and supporting their connection to the programme
- Working with teachers, schools and programme stakeholders to increase the number of School Ambassadors
- Supporting the training and education of casual staff who deliver AFL programmes
- Booking and delivering school programmes across NAB AFL Auskick, Community Football, School Football and alternate formats
- Strengthening School Football pathways and helping more participants progress into community football
- Delivering Footy4Fun to support the transition and retention of community football participants
- Growing participation in new and emerging markets, including opportunities for female participants, multicultural communities and people with disability
- Aligning player appearances with programme activity to support participant growth and retention
- Contributing to priority projects and the success of the broader team
What you’ll bring
- One to two years’ experience in a similar role or field
- Strong customer service skills and a commitment to positive participant and stakeholder experiences
- Well-developed written and verbal communication, interpersonal, presentation and negotiation skills
- The ability to establish priorities, organise competing tasks and deliver agreed objectives
- Experience working towards and achieving targets
- Sound judgement when negotiating, mediating and resolving competing interests
- Strong administration skills, including experience using Microsoft software
- The ability to contribute diverse thinking and ideas while supporting change
- A collaborative and motivated approach to delivering outcomes as part of a broader team
- A degree in Sports Management, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience, is desirable
- Knowledge of AFL Victoria development programmes and their impact on the sports industry is desirable
Why you’ll love being on our team
At the AFL, you will be part of a values-led team that aims high, backs each other and brings energy, care and integrity to work that matters.
This is a place where people play to win, play as one team and play with passion, while always staying grounded in fairness, inclusion and respect. We work hard, support each other and create the conditions for our people to grow, perform and thrive.
What you can look forward to:
- Play The Day Your Way, our flexible approach to working life, built to support you on game day and every day
- My Development, with coaching, mentoring, on-the-job learning and formal development to help you keep building your game
- Play Well, our health and wellbeing programme designed to support a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy workplace
- My Benefits, giving you access to a range of partner offers and discounts through our AFL Corporate Partners
- AFL Silver Memberships for permanent team members, so you can enjoy the action at Marvel Stadium and the MCG with family and friends
- 6 months paid primary parental leave with no qualification period for permanent team members
Everyone has a place here
Our game brings people together, and we want our workplace to do the same.
We are committed to building a culture of belonging and an environment where people feel respected, included and able to thrive, and where diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.
Whether you’re a footy fan or new to our game, we welcome everyone to apply. We know great candidates don’t always tick every box; if this role excites you, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the job description.
The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care.
Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.
Ready to play your part?
Applications close 18 September 2026