ROLE DESCRIPTION:

Working within the high-performance team you will play a critical role in the provision of physiotherapy, injury rehabilitation, and the physical preparation of NRL players. This involves the coordination and implementation of best practice rehabilitation programs to advance physical performance and ensure the safe and efficient return to competition for NRL athletes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical rehabilitation

Lead the design, implementation, and progression of individualised rehabilitation programs for acute and long-term injuries of NRL players.

In collaboration with the medical, performance staff and the coaching team oversee the return to play (RTP) decision-making process, programming and operations.

Contribute as a clinical expert in a range of both complex and typical contact-sport injury types.

Maintain explicit and fluid records of individual and squad athlete return to play programs as individuals are progressed from controlled rehab to full training integration and competition.

Performance Integration

Deliver and lead individualised rehabilitation/return to play programs for all injured players within field, gym and treatment settings.

Promote an open and inclusive rehabilitation program (i.e., all football staff) aimed at exceeding predetermined timeframes and ensuring alignment with rugby league specific physical demands (i.e. running loads, contact, mechanical loads, and skill).

Integrate up-to-date technology (i.e. GPS, force metrics, other performance data) and assessment protocols specific to injury type in benchmarking athlete return in relation to objective assessments.

Translate medical and rehab outcomes and data into performance-ready outputs.

Injury management

Contribute to injury prevention strategies through screening, movement analysis, and load management.

Aim to incorporate new evidence into return to play programming to continually challenge athletes with innovation and variety.

Monitor a range of objective and subjective data sources along with training and game loads to support robust RTP decisions.

Management and Best practice

Build meaningful and robust relationships in maintaining consistent communication with the Head Coach, Head of Performance, other HP staff members and medical staff (i.e., doctors).

Manage other HP staff in delegating rehabilitation coaching roles and responsibilities.

Provide comprehensive reports and lead meetings detailing key aspects of player injury and progress.

Ensure rehabilitation practice aligns with evidence-based standards, professional guidelines, and governing body requirements

Leadership

Be proactive in identifying key trends and meanings within data and wider research to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the high-performance programs.

Contribute explicit and confident recommendations whilst managing the performance pressure of an elite sport setting.

Maintain a professional network outside of the club and identify higher professional development opportunities.

Be an active contributor to strategic planning and holistic culture development within high performance team

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Extensive experience in elite or professional rugby or collision team sports

Advanced expertise in complex musculoskeletal rehabilitation and RTP decision-making

Strong understanding of rugby league specific demands, injury mechanisms, and performance constraints.

Excellent communication, decision-making, and organisational skills

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Postgraduate qualifications in sports physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or related fields

Strong knowledge of running mechanics and their impact on performance

Familiarity with sports technology and performance data integration.