Handball Australia is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for Handball in Australia being recognised by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). We administer and promote programs for all versions of the Sport; Indoor, Beach and Wheelchair.

The National General Manager Participation for Handball is responsible for driving growth in participation across all age groups and skill levels in handball with a strong emphasis on youth programs; both community focused and school based.  The primary focus will be the Handball Australia (HA) Handball Introductory Program a component of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Play Well Participation Strategy.

 The role combines strategic planning, community engagement, and programme development to ensure accessible, inclusive, and sustainable participation opportunities aligned with the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Play Well Participation (PWP) Strategy and broader sports participation goals.

The successful candidate will possess strong project management, self-direction and coordination skills to ensure effective delivery of programs and engagement with relevant stakeholders within timelines and financial budgets.

The position is able to work from a home-based office with some local and interstate travel required.

Sporting activities can occur 7 days a week and this may require flexible working arrangements for availability on weekends and outside of “normal” hours.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Delivery & Development
   • Implement the Handball Australia ASC Play Well Participation Program to achieve the Key Success Factors.
   • Prepare the required Planning and Reporting outcomes in accordance with the ASC Schedule and Timelines
   • Manage the delivery of Handball Australia participation programmes tailored to various skill levels, from beginner to advanced.  
   • Emphasise the Fun, Play and Passion IHF philosophy to achieve enjoyment and skill development, to retain participation and establish a platform for lifelong engagement.
   • Establish processes to monitor and report on program delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and quality standards.
   • Incorporate gamification and hybrid engagement models (online/offline) to attract new demographics and improve retention.
   • Assess and review participation program’s outcomes and identify solutions to any issues identified in program materials, resources and conduct, ensuring the game based approach to learning is applied.
   • Identify, assess and implement any commercial opportunities to generate a revenue stream for Handball Australia through fee-based programs.  Developing the programs to be fee-based model and product.
   • Manage the resources for a successful program delivery and outcome;
     • Recruitment of accredited and industry endorsed providers
     • Locate and identify venues,
     • Scheduling of programs, and
     • management of program delivery providers including; Handball coaches or third party providers involved in program delivery.
     • Assess suitability of resources for the program delivery.
   • Promote handball as a versatile sport suitable for recreational, competitive, and social contexts.
2. Strategic Partnerships
   • Collaborate with schools, community organisations, and clubs to implement Community focused and school based introductory handball programmes, such as Mini-Handball.
   • Maintain a positive engagement and regular interaction with the ASC and the HA/ASC Participation Growth Advisor and attendance at ASC Meetings in the Participation Leadership Network
   • Build partnerships with relevant government and community organisations to identify, secure, safe and accessible venues for handball activities that can address the Play Well Participation Strategy of Places and Spaces
   • Engage with relevant organisations to promote the inclusion of handball in the design of future community recreational areas to accommodate the requirements of handball.
3. Inclusivity & Accessibility
   • Develop audience specific targeted initiatives to engage underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, culturally diverse communities, multi-cultural groups , women and low socio-economic groups
   • Ensure programmes align with the Physical Literacy Framework to foster lifelong engagement.
4. Capacity Building
   • Recruit, mentor and support volunteer coaches, third party providers and officials to adopt participant-focused game based coaching strategies.
   • Achieve the ASC Funding Key Success Factors to ensure future funding.
   • Develop the resources of the Handball Introductory Play Well Participation program for expansion on a National basis.
   • Identify knowledge gaps and provide training programs to align club operations with national standards for inclusivity and safety.
   • Utilise and develop SSO resources and interface with SSO programs.
   • Establish and grow the Handball brand
5. Data-Driven Insights
   • Leverage technology and digital tools like the AusPlay Survey and IT based applications to capture participant data, analyse participation trends and identify growth opportunities.
   • Report on programme outcomes, including participation rates, retention, and community impact. 

Key Competencies

• Customer Focus: Delivering engaging and inclusive experiences to attract and retain participants.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to plan, execute, and evaluate program delivery in collaboration with diverse stakeholders delivering on time and within budget.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Strive for excellence in building and maintaining productive partnerships within Handball Australia and its valued stakeholders; the ASC, SSOs, Clubs, schools, community organizations, and facilities managers
• Leadership: Inspiring and equipping clubs and volunteers to achieve participation objectives.
• Innovation: Manage the development of modern handball “game-sense” programmes that cater to the changing needs and lifestyles of participants and other audiences.
• Commercial Focus: Identify opportunities to implement fee- based programs and other revenue generating activities or products.
• Change Management: Embrace change as an opportunity to implement new and innovative solutions to overcome challenges restricting growth and achieving outcomes
• Strategic Thinking: Aligning handball development initiatives with broader ASC PWP sports participation strategies.  Identifying opportunities for growth in participation
• Data analysis: Familiarity with data collection and analysis tools and processes

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in Sports Management, Sports Science, Project Management or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in sports management or community development with an emphasis on team-based sport of at least 5 years.
• Working With Children Accreditation or capacity to obtain
• Understanding of participation trends, including barriers to involvement and strategies for engagement.
• Familiarity with coaching, programme delivery, and volunteer management frameworks.
• Must be an Australian Citizen or resident with a legal right to reside and work in Australian in order to be considered for this position

Personal Attributes

• Passion for team-based sport and its role in enhancing the benefits of physical activity and movement and the impact on social, emotional, cognitive and psychological wellbeing.
• Strong interpersonal characteristics and skills to establish, build and grow professional relationships and networks with diverse stakeholders such as; ASC, Local Government, Third Party Providers, Schools, Professional Bodies
• Possess strong professional communication (both verbal and written), negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Being self-driven, goal setting and focussed, acting within the required timeframe to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to integrity, equity, safety, and participant satisfaction.

Outcomes & Impact

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Effective program delivery within timelines and financial constraints being highly rated by participants and stakeholders.
• Achieving the ASC Key Success Factors.
• Demonstrated impact of growth and retention through data-driven reporting and strategic growth initiatives.
• Increased participation rates in handball across all demographics and sectors of the sport.
• Enhanced club capacity and volunteer development within handball.
• Positive participant feedback on programme accessibility and enjoyment of their handball experience

Benefits and Culture

HA is committed to ensuring all employees have a work life balance within their role.

• A market level remuneration package on negotiation
• As a Not -for-Profit; access to salary packaging
• Flexible working arrangements
• Chance to make a meaningful impact
• Opportunity to be home based – working from home

Handball Australia Website handballaustralia.org.au

Handball Australia Facebook  facebook.com/handballaustraliamain