Community Development Lead

Organisation: The Welsh Netball Association
Salary: £29,000 per annum
Location: Cardiff Office with flexibility to work from home 3 out of 5 days a week (66%). Extensive national travel required.
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 22 May 2025
Interview date: 29 May 2025
Job Description: This is an exciting role which brings a new dimension to the Participation team, focusing on enhancing netball delivery in schools and early years settings, and implementing targeted inclusive netball programmes in the community to align with Wales Netball strategic priorities.

Unlike other Sport Development roles, the priority of the role holder will be to lead on identifying and creating strategic connections and partnerships to deliver via, with on-the-ground netball delivery being a minor role element. Given this – strategic thinking and relationship building are key.

The successful candidate will lead on growing and developing our Participation Programmes, with a particular focus on reigniting primary school netball in Wales and working with partners outside of the school setting to implement targeted inclusive netball programmes. Working with a range of stakeholders, for example, Local Authorities, other sports governing bodies, Day Nurseries, education trusts - no two days will be the same.

We are committed to growing the sport of Netball in Wales and harnessing the power it has to improve people’s lives. We are seeking a conscientious individual to join the organisation as a Community Development Lead. This is an initial 1 year fixed-term contract, with a possibility to extend beyond the initial term.

Main Areas of Responsibility:
• Lead on the implementation of the Community Development elements of the Wales Netball Strategy – ensuring all activity is closely aligned to identified strategic priorities, and is monitored and regularly reported on via KPIs and Metrics
• Lead a project reviewing primary school netball in Wales and ‘Dragon Rules’, proposing and implementing improvements
• Target schools in areas of Wales with large latent demand for netball, working with their Physical Education and extracurricular departments to identify and facilitate their netball needs
• Establish links between Schools and Junior Clubs, facilitating the transition to out-of-school netball participation
• Lead on the creation and implementation of the 2025 Wales Netball Schools Pack, applying the insight gathered from 2024 Schools Pack Review
• Act as the inSport Lead Officer for Wales Netball, working with Disability Sport Wales to develop our inclusive netball offering
• Collaborate with partners (e.g. Football Association of Wales, National Day Nursery Association, Local Authorities), to deliver targeted test-and-learn pilot programmes to underrepresented groups identified as strategic priorities (e.g. Older Adults, Lower socio-economic demographics, early years settings)
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality inclusive programmes that focus on showcasing netball as a sport-for-all, and that align with the Wales Netball strategy e.g. Blitz Netball, Walking Netball, Seated Netball
• Identify demand and foster partnerships with schools, early years providers, Community Groups, Youth Clubs, Hospitals, Care Homes and local authorities, building a network and promoting the benefits of netball participation and membership
• Collaborate with organisations to organise and promote events and tournaments in the schools and inclusive netball space, e.g. Local Authorities
• Understand the demand for workforce education surrounding schools and early years settings and inclusive netball programmes, support the Workforce Officer (WO) in course planning and signpost the community to relevant opportunities
• Proactively provide guidance and support to affiliated schools, early years and inclusive community settings, including planning & running forums, acting as the key point-of contact promoting Wales Netball membership benefits
• Promote and advocate for the concept of Physical Literacy within all netball delivery, ensuring the ‘Foundations Framework’ principles are understood in all primary settings.
• Work with the relevant Wales Netball staff members to inspire participation and create ‘fans of the future’ by strategically distributing free or discounted live-netball ticketing opportunities to identified schools and inclusive community groups.
• Collect impact data and insight on programmes, working with the Participation Support Officer (PSO) to ensure its thoroughly analysed.
How to apply: Please send your C.V and either a Cover Letter or Application Video outlining your suitability for the role, and how you meet the essential and desirable aspects of the job description to recruitment@walesnetball.com (If choosing an Application Video please upload it to a Dropbox, no other files storing links will be accepted) and include the link in your application email. Closing Date for applications: 17:00 on Thursday 22nd May 2025 Interview Date: Thursday 29th May 2025 (please inform the recruitment team on application if you are unable to attend this date) For an informal conversation about the role please contact keira.edwards@walesnetball.com