USAFL Freedom Coaching Nominations

With the retirement of US Freedom Head Coach Leigh Barnes, the USAFL is embarking on a search for a new head coach to lead the US Freedom to the Women's International Cup in 2020.

Freedom Team Coach Position

Overview

USAFL is the recognized representative organization of Australian Football in the USA and is seeking to fill the Head Coaching position for the United States Freedom & United States Liberty, the women's national representative teams. Applications are due December 20, 2017.

Responsibilities

The Head Coach is responsible for the on-field performance of the Freedom.  The Coach leads the selection process of the Freedom who will travel to Australia for the International Cup in August of 2020.  The Head Coach will convene with the Women’s Association Board to form a three-year plan of action from 2018-2020. The Head Coach is also responsible for recruiting their volunteer assistant coaches.

As with all coach positions, communications are crucial, both on and off the field. Communication skills by both phone and e-mail are critical in this role and the successful applicant must show a history of good communication and a dedication to being the primary link to creating the team of potential Freedom players.

The coach will be selected on a combination of skills, including

• Previous coaching experience (preferred but not required);
• High level communication skills;
• Business judgment;
• Leadership;
• A demonstrated dedication to the USAFL
• Solid knowledge of all USAFL team lists
• An understanding of financial and geographical challenges facing USAFL players
• Commitment to developing women’s sport in the United States and build new relationships with all relevant stakeholders; and
• An ability to “bring into the fold” and educate players who may be relatively new to the game of Australian Football.

The coach will be required to attend a certain number of regional camps per year as well as various Freedom selection games, some (but limited) financial support may be available for travel. This is a volunteer position and will be appointed to run though the end of 2021.  The appointed Head Coach will be required to pay the same proportion of costs as the players.

Background on the United States Freedom

The Freedom is the National team of the United States Australian Football League (USAFL). The Liberty is the National development team of the USAFL.  The USAFL is focused on developing women’s footy and building the National team over the next three years with the aim of competing in the 2020 International Cup.  Travel during 2018 through 2020 will likely involve domestic travel for training camps, possible tournament entries and international matches. 

Application Deadline

All applicants for the position must send a cover letter and resume in electronic format to Andrea Casillas, USAFL Women’s Association (nominations@usafl.com) by close of business on November 19, 2017.