Game Development Officer - Barkly
Date: 29 Sept 2026
Location: Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, 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
The Game Development Officer – Barkly helps children and young people connect with Australian Football through safe, inclusive and engaging experiences.
Based in the Barkly/Tennant Creek Region and reporting to the Regional Development Lead – Barkly, you will deliver and support Auskick, junior football, school clinics, competitions and community football activities.
Working closely with schools, clubs, families and local stakeholders, you will help grow participation and create positive football experiences across the region.
What you’ll own
You will support the delivery of high-quality participation programmes and community football activities across the Barkly/Tennant Creek Region.
You’ll add value through:
- Delivering AFL participation programmes, including Auskick, junior football and school-based football activities
- Leading fun, age-appropriate and engaging AFL clinics for primary and secondary school students
- Supporting clubs and community football providers to deliver safe, inclusive and well-organised programmes
- Assisting with the planning and delivery of school competitions, gala days and community participation events
- Supporting event-day operations, including set-up, umpiring, scoring, timekeeping and pack-down
- Organising, maintaining and appropriately using equipment and programme resources
- Working with the Regional Development Lead – Barkly to coordinate local priorities and respond to community needs
- Building positive relationships with schools, clubs, participants, families and community partners
- Creating safe, respectful and inclusive environments for children, young people and community members
- Contributing to a flexible, team-first delivery environment across regional programmes, events and initiatives
What you’ll bring
- Experience or demonstrated confidence working with children and young people in a sport, school, community or recreation environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage primary and secondary school-aged children, teachers, clubs, families and community stakeholders
- The ability to deliver fun, safe and inclusive participation activities for diverse groups and communities
- Practical organisational skills, including setting up activities, managing equipment and supporting event-day delivery
- The ability to adapt to changing tasks, locations, participants and programme needs while remaining calm and effective
- An interest in Australian Football and a commitment to supporting the growth of the game in regional communities
- A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute wherever needed to deliver positive community experiences
- A valid employee Ochre Card and satisfactory criminal history record check, or the ability to obtain these where applicable
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
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, including ensuring the successful candidate holds a valid employee Ochre Card and a satisfactory criminal history record check.
Ready to play your part?
Applications close 14 October 2026