The Waratahs Head of Player Development is responsible for identifying, recruiting, developing and retaining talented male players across NSW for integration into the Waratahs Development program.

The role will lead the strategic development and delivery of the Waratahs Pathways model, including the Satellite Academy network, across the Junior Academy, Youth Academy and Senior Academy. The player development program will be grounded in long term player development principles and it will maintain world class standards of coach and player development. Players within the program are expected to develop into Super Rugby Pacific players, Junior Wallabies, Wallabies and Olympians.

This is a high level role requiring leadership and management across a number of areas to ensure a pipeline of talent to the highest level teams in NSW and Australia.

Key Accountabilities

- Develop and maintain a systematic, LTAD aligned approach to identifying and tracking key male talent within NSW

Maintain systems, data and knowledge to continuously determine the talent requirements and player depth across the pathway

Identify, lead and manage an effective team of talent development coaches throughout NSW, aligned to the Waratahs Way development model

Effective Recruitment & Talent Retention

Lead the production and implementation of individual player development profiles and plans across all age groups and report bi-annually on player progress

Lead the production and implementation of a recruitment and retention strategy, based on the individual player development profiles

Develop and maintain a threeyear depth chart for player recruitment and retention in order to produce the required players at a Super Rugby Pacific level





Manage the player retention budget, in consultation with the Waratahs Director of Performance and the National Head of Player Development

Produce an annual Player Development operational plan and budget with monthly progress monitoring and reporting

Develop position-specific identification and recruitment opportunities to address positions of need.

Contribute to the development and maintenance of positional depth charts with the Waratahs Director of Performance and Head Coaches of the Waratahs Men's program

Impactful involvement in national depth chart development and discussions

Strategic Leadership & Pathway Model Implementation

Lead the implementation of the Waratahs Pathway to ensure a single, clearly defined performance pathway for male and female athletes throughout the state

Lead the production of agreed Player Development Minimum Standards across the talent pathway and monitor club and school level compliance

Ensure LTAD principles, coaching standardisation and Waratahs Way selection criteria are consistently applied across all Academy programs and environments

Develop and maintain solid relationships with key schools and programs across NSW to promote player development, recruitment and retention

Agree and implement an annual calendar of key face to face meetings and knowledge sharing opportunities with stakeholders such as schools,



associations and Shute Shield academies

Develop and provide expert technical advice, guidance, resources and tools in components of player development systems for use by key delivery partners

Influence and be involved in national strategic planning and initiatives for male and female talent pathways

Player Development & Pathways

Ensure every pathway player has an Individual Development Plan

Conduct regular individual performance reviews in conjunction with Waratahs Academy staff

Work closely with performance support and coaching staff to monitor player progression

Support leadership development throughout the playing group

Develop position-specific learning opportunities

Adopt a Whole of Player approach to development, working closely with the Rugby Union Player Association's Waratahs Player Development Manager and the Advantage Line programme to support pathway players' off-field growth, life skills and dual career (educational/vocational) needs alongside their rugby development

Leadership, Personal Development & Culture

Effectively lead and manage the Waratahs Academy program staff

Ensure an inter-disciplinary approach to working is adopted and engage fully with performance support staff in strength and conditioning, medical, nutrition and performance psychology to run a world class program

Complete bi-annual performance evaluation plans with all direct reports and identify development opportunities based on them

Engage fully with all national agreed elements of personal and staff development

Promote the Waratahs values and behaviours

Build a connected, accountable and resilient team culture

Devel

📌 Waratahs Head of Player Development (Sydney)
🏢 NSW Waratahs
📍 Sydney