About Us
The Carlton Football Club is one of Australia’s oldest and most prominent sport institutions. Founded in 1864, the Club’s headquarters and training facilities are located in Carlton at IKON Park, our traditional home ground.
Our IKON Park redevelopment is now complete, and we are proud of our state-of-the-art facilities that support our high-performance environment. When the Club set about undertaking this historic work, it was based upon achieving facilities for women’s sport that would be the equal of their male counterparts. We are passionate about our contribution to the Community and foster an inclusive and welcoming culture where our values are at the core of
who we are and what we do.
About the Role
The AFLW Assistant Coach will join the Blues on a Fixed Term Contract in a part time capacity (.6 FTE) and is responsible for developing, motivating, coaching, and providing leadership skills to the playing group. This role will report to the AFLW Senior Coach and will communicate closely with and support them in motivating the playing group to perform to their highest level. To achieve this the coach must develop strong working relationships with all players and support staff working within the Carlton AFLW Program.
It will also be the responsibility of the AFLW Assistant Coach to assist in developing and implementing game plan and coaching strategies, reviewing of match vision and to provide feedback and strategic insight at training and on game day.
Key Responsibilities
-
Coach, teach and support the development of AFLW listed players, with primary
responsibility for a designated line group.
- Plan and deliver weekly craft and fundamentals-based training aligned to the overall
program.
- Contribute to the design and execution of training plans that support player development
and effective implementation of the game plan.
- Develop, implement and monitor individual development plans in collaboration with the
Head of Development, using vision analysis and feedback to drive improvement.
- Communicate regularly with coaches and staff to align player development priorities and
outcomes.
- Support the AFLW Senior Coach across all program elements, including training, match
committee, team selection, opposition analysis and match day coaching.
- Deliver training sessions and presentations and contribute to the ongoing development
of coaching group capability.
- Assist with the integration and development of VFLW and train-on players within the
AFLW program.
- Implement, coach and refine team strategies, structures and the AFLW game model across
offence, defence and transition.
- Contribute to the development of game strategies and structured programs in line with
current trends and performance objectives.
- Educate players on team systems and review performance to ensure continuous improvement
and competitive advantage.
Experience, Skills and Attributes
- Proven high-performance coaching experience, with success in designing and executing
adaptable game plans aligned to team capability and opposition analysis.
- Strong communicator who delivers clear, purposeful messaging and provides honest,
constructive feedback to drive accountability and improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with performance, medical and strength &
conditioning staff to optimize training, load management and player
availability.
- Sound understanding of periodisation, recovery and the integration of coaching
objectives with individual and team performance plans.
- Adaptive leadership style that enhances both individual development and team
performance.
- Strong commitment to player welfare, with experience supporting holistic wellbeing,
psychological safety and work–life balance in elite women’s football.
- Ability to identify and escalate wellbeing concerns, working collaboratively with
relevant support staff.
- Understanding of the unique demands on AFLW athletes and the ability to coach with
flexibility, empathy and awareness.
- Authentic, values-driven leader who builds
trust, fosters inclusion and contributes positively to club culture.
- High emotional intelligence, cultural awareness (including First Nations
perspectives) and commitment to safe, inclusive environments.
- Growth mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and developing others across the
playing group.
- Strong sense of accountability, maintaining high standards and ownership of outcomes.
- Professional and adaptable communicator, confident representing the club across media,
community and stakeholder environments.
Qualifications and Knowledge
-
Level 2 Coaching (minimum)
- Experience in National or State league football programs.
- A strong understanding of coaching methods and training sessions that maximise
on-field performance.
Culture & Benefits
Carlton’s values shape how the Club operates and how our people work, connect and support each another. We are passionate about our culture and committed to creating a genuine sense of
belonging. Our people are supported through flexible working, learning and
development opportunities, and a range of benefits, including membership, café,
retail and partnership discounts, while working in a world‑class sporting
facility.
How to Apply
Please submit your application including your resume and cover letter by Friday 10 April 2026.
The Carlton Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe, and flexible. All applicants
will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our Club Values.
The Carlton Football Club is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities,
events, and the broader community, will always be our first priority. All staff must hold (or be willing to obtain) a current Victorian Working With Children Check and valid Police Check as part of their employment with the Club.
