Participation Lead - Hunter/Central Coast
Date: 29 Jul 2026
Location: Newcaslte, New South Wales, 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
As Participation Lead - Hunter/Central Coast, you will play a key role in growing Australian Football across one of the game's most important development regions.
Through the delivery of AFL participation programs, you will help more children, schools, clubs and communities connect with football and enjoy positive experiences that build lifelong engagement with the game.
Working across Community Football, NAB AFL Auskick, NAB Superkick and AFL NINES, you will drive participation growth, support strong retention and transition outcomes, and ensure programs are delivered to a high standard.
You will also provide guidance and support to participation team members while working closely with clubs, volunteers and key stakeholders across the region.
What you’ll own
You will lead the local delivery of participation initiatives that inspire more people to get involved in football and stay connected to the game.
You’ll add value through:
- Implementing growth, transition and retention strategies across participation products including NAB AFL Auskick, School Programs, Junior Football, AFL NINES and NAB Superkick
- Developing and delivering a local participation strategy that supports sustainable growth across the Hunter/Central Coast region
- Driving quality standards and consistent delivery across all participation programs
- Supporting the delivery and execution of participation programs, events and engagement initiatives
- Enhancing participant and customer experiences through continuous improvement initiatives
- Training, mentoring and supporting participation team members to deliver quality outcomes
- Building strong relationships with junior community clubs, volunteers and key football stakeholders
- Strengthening participation pathways to improve player transition and retention outcomes
- Supporting the local execution of national participation strategies and campaigns
- Working collaboratively across Community Football teams to achieve regional growth objectives
- Monitoring program performance and identifying opportunities for improvement
- Contributing to broader projects and initiatives that support the success of the wider team
What you’ll bring
- Experience delivering participation, community sport, education or engagement programs
- Demonstrated ability to coach, train or support others to deliver quality outcomes
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
- Experience working effectively with volunteers, clubs, community groups or sporting organisations
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving capability
- Ability to work autonomously while contributing to a collaborative team environment
- Confidence using technology and customer relationship management systems
- Sound judgement, initiative and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
- A commitment to delivering positive participant and customer experiences
- Knowledge of and passion for Australian Football
- Current Driver's Licence
- Valid Working with Children Check, or the ability to obtain one
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 12 August 2026