NRL Lead Athletic Performance Coach (Strength, Power & Speed)

nib Newcastle Knights – Lead Athletic Performance Coach (Strength, Power & Speed)
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Full-Time (Fixed Term) - 3 year Contract

The Newcastle Knights are entering a bold and exciting new era, driven by our commitment to becoming a leading development club in the NRL. As part of our strategic vision, we are investing heavily in elite performance systems to create sustained success and win premierships.
We are currently seeking an exceptional NRL Lead Athletic Performance Coach (Strength, Power & Speed) to join our high performance unit. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a club rich in tradition, known for its grit, driven to inspire, and ultimately determined to win.

About the Position

Reporting to the Head of Performance, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading world-class programming in Strength & Power and Speed & Agility for the NRL squad. This role is instrumental in delivering physical performance outcomes aligned with the Newcastle Knights Game Model and in contributing to the development of a premier high-performance environment.

Key focus areas include:

• Designing and delivering evidence-based strength, power and speed programs

• Leading player assessments and performance monitoring

• Integrating cutting-edge sports science and return-to-performance protocols

• Collaborating with coaches and medical staff to drive individual and team outcomes

• Supporting a unified physical performance philosophy across the club’s pathways system

About Us

The nib Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional Rugby League Football Club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. The Knights compete in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership. We are owned by The Wests Group Australia, Newcastle's owned and operated (not-for-profit) membership-based organisation.

The Knights Way: Our Values

Tradition: We are humble and proud of our blue-collar origins. We respect our past, which shapes our future.

Grit: In times of adversity we find a way, through hard-work, toughness and tenacity.

Inspire: We inspire our members, supporters and community through all our actions, achievements and effort.

Win: We apply a winning mindset to everything we do and create moments to win.

About You

To thrive in this role, you will be a passionate and driven performance expert with:

• Elite coaching experience in high-performance sport, preferably in a contact or collision-based code

• A deep understanding of Rugby League physical demands

• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and align performance programs with coaching strategy

• A proven track record of achieving high standards under pressure

• A willingness to relocate to Newcastle and embrace a club-first culture

Qualifications & Requirements

• ASCA Level 3 Coach Accreditation or International equivalent (minimum Level 2)

• ASCA Elite Pro Structure Membership

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Exercise or Sport Science

• Strong technical, data and programming literacy (e.g., Power BI, Excel)

• Working with Children Check (WWCC) and valid Driver’s License

What we Offer

In return the nib Newcastle Knights can offer you dynamic work environment and excellent terms and conditions of employment.

We value our staff, which is why we recognise and reward your hard work with our AMAZING staff benefits.

• Paid Parental Leave (including 12 months of maintained superannuation)

• Wellbeing Leave – proactively manage your wellbeing

• First Nations Cultural Leave

• Paid traineeships and leadership development courses

• 40% discount off meals for club employees

• $25 per month for an all-access B.CO+ membership to Balance Collective. This will provide access to all three clubs and unlimited group classes (with Pilates, Yoga and Creche included!). As an added bonus this offer extends out to your partner as well!

• Discount accommodation rates at The Executive, The Gateway and The Anchorage Hotel & Spa

• Discounted nib Health Insurance

• 15% Discount at Reflections Holiday Parks

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programs

• Free annual flu vaccinations

As part of The Wests Group/ Newcastle Knights recruitment and assessment process, all candidates progressing to the next stage will be required to complete relevant due diligence and probity checks specific to the role. This includes, but is not limited to, a Criminal History Check, reference checks, and right to work verification via our company portal. All associated checks and costs will be facilitated by the Group.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds to create a work environment where employee differences such as gender, age, culture, disability, sexual orientation and education are valued to reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.