Field Hockey Canada

Field Hockey Canada is looking to fill the position of  Head Coach to lead the Women’s Senior Team

Status:            Full Time Position
Location:        Vancouver, BC, Canada
Reporting :    General Manager, High Performance Program and National Teams

Nature of the Position: Field Hockey Canada (FHC) is the national sport governing body for the development and growth of field hockey in Canada. Among its responsibilities, the association selects and prepares Canada’s teams for international competitions including Continental Championships, World Championships, and major multi-sport games (e.g. Olympic Games, Pan American Games and Commonwealth Games).

Key Relationships: National Senior Team Athletes, General Manager, High Performance Program and National Teams, Domestic Team Manager, FHC staff, Centers of Excellence (COE), program coaches.

Key Responsibilities include:

The Head Coach, Women’s National Team will be responsible for directing the Senior National Team and Program. The successful candidate must have proven ability and experience in developing a high performance training environment and program. Key responsibilities include:

  • - Responsible for the development and oversight of the Women’s Senior National Program within the framework of the FHC High Performance Strategy
  • - Responsible for the leadership and development of a high performance culture within the Women’s Senior National Program
  • - Responsible for the Senior National Team program management including annual planning, assessment of strategic opportunities and program implementation

Specific responsibilities include:

Coaching and Leadership

  • - Coach and prepare the Women’s Senior National Team
  • - Oversight of the Women’s National Team Assistant Coaches and program staff  to prepare and implement the overall program management
  • - Establish a team vision, values, standards and protocols that fit within the FHC High Performance Strategy and overall performance goals
  • - Exemplify and model the FHC National Senior Women’s Team Team vision, values,  and standards and protocols  at all times Ensure there is a shared understanding and adoption of the Senior National Women’s Team vision, values, standards and protocols by all related team staff and management members.
  • - Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Women’s Senior National Team and team management, both individually and as a larger group, using a range of leadership and communication styles designed specifically for the situation

Strategy and Implementation

  • - Contribute to the development and implementation of the FHC High Performance Strategy and relevant priorities for the Women’s Senior National Team
  • - Create, maintain and develop performance plans for the Women’s Senior National Team
  • - Manage, monitor and assess  athlete/team performance, and manage relevant data to ensure standards are met so that optimal performance potential is obtained
  • - Provide regular feedback to the senior leadership team and the General Manager as part of the performance strategy metrics and accountability

Program Management

  • - Responsible for athlete talent identification, recruitment and selection
  • - Ensure linkage and alignment with the Women’s Junior Program and the Center of Excellence Program (COE)
  • - Develop and implement the training (technical and tactical) program, competition and daily training environment
  • - Ensure that the Women’s Senior National Team’s yearly training plan is aligned and supported by  the sport science,  medicine and technology program
  • - Oversight of the Senior National Team administration including communication with athletes, general management for training camps and competition trips, performance status of athletes, management of athlete training reports and other duties as required

Qualifications & Experience

  • - Must be a recognized certification from a coaching or national association comparable to Canadian NCCP Level 4 or/or a certified FIH High Performance Coach (or in progress)
  • - Minimum of 8 years' experience in a coaching role with demonstration of an increasing level of responsibility within a high performance environment; with at least 4 years as a Head Coach of a Senior National Team 
  • - Educational background and related experience reflective of a senior leadership role
  • - Previous experience in high performance and development programs (coaching and training)
  • - Previous experience with team/individual  game analysis technology eg: Sports Code and Dartfish is desirable
  • - Ability to provide strong leadership and work as part of a team to achieve stated FHC high performance objectives
  • - Experience in working with volunteers
  • - Ability to travel within Canada and internationally as required
  • - Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form in English is essential and in French is an asset

Skills & Attributes

  • - Passionate about the sport of field hockey
  • - Exceptional leadership skills and ability to inspire and engage others
  • - Commitment and a passion to succeed, driven by achieving results
  • - Demonstrate personal credibility, judgement, high integrity, and an ability to handle pressure and stress appropriately
  • - Relationship builder with a demonstrated ability to work with athletes, coaches and administrators
  • - Responsible,  accountable and demonstrates solid judgement
  • - Effective communicator

Applications for the Position

Application Deadline: November 15, 2012

FHC hires on the basis of merit. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.  This position is based upon funding and support from Own the Podium.

Applications for the position must be received no later than Thursday, November 15, 2012, 5pm (EST). This application deadline may be extended at the discretion of FHC.

Forward your resume to: fhc@fieldhockey.ca  with the subject line title: Application for Head Coach, Women’s Senior National Team