Applications are sought from Department for Education teachers and employees and non-government teachers for the role of School Sport Convenors in country areas.

Position details

2 year term of appointment (subject to review which could include further combining of districts and zones)

Appointments

All positions are funded at the below full time equivalent (FTE) teacher rate unless indicated otherwise.

A person new to the role of convenor will have additional release time provided and individualised support to transition into the role.

Context of the position

The Sport and Water Safety Unit sits within Curriculum Connections and Engagement which is a Directorate of the Curriculum and Learning (CAL) Division of the Department for Education.

The School Sport team provides leadership, coordination and support for school sport programs across South Australia. The team works with schools, teachers, sporting organisations and convenors to provide safe, inclusive and high-quality sporting opportunities that support student learning, participation, development and connection.

Throughout South Australia, schools are geographically aligned into districts and zones. Convenors for each district, zone or region are allocated a fraction of time based on the size, complexity and scope of their local program.

• District Convenors primarily coordinate local programs and representative opportunities for students aged 10 to 12 years.
• Zone Convenors primarily coordinate local programs and in some regional areas representative opportunities for students in Years 7 to 12.
• Regional Convenors work across primary and secondary school settings and may have responsibility for multiple district and/or zone programs.

Role purpose

The School Sport Convenor provides educational and operational leadership for school sport within their allocated district, zone or region.

Working collaboratively with schools, teachers, coaches, families, sporting organisations and School Sport SA, the Convenor coordinates high-quality school sport programs that provide safe, inclusive and student-centred sporting experiences.

The role connects the delivery of school sport with its broader educational purpose, supporting student learning, wellbeing, personal development and, where appropriate, connections with the Australian Curriculum/SA Curriculum and SACE Health and Physical Education and General Capabilities and Dispositions.

Key responsibilities

The Convenor will:

• Lead and coordinate local school sport programs and events, including interschool competitions, participation opportunities and representative pathways.
• Provide educational leadership for school sport, promoting its contribution to student learning, wellbeing and development and supporting connections between sporting opportunities and Health and Physical Education curriculum.
• Embed The Way We Play across local and representative programs, supporting safe, supportive, inclusive and student-centred environments and establishing clear expectations for students, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
• Coordinate representative team programs, including nominations, trials, selection processes, coaches and team officials, student and family communication, and support throughout competitions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools and stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, students, families, sporting organisations, local associations and community groups.
• Provide leadership and exercise professional judgement in matters involving student safety and wellbeing, supervision, behaviour, selection, parent concerns, coach support and the effective management of school sport programs.
• Ensure programs and events are appropriately planned and managed, including venues, officials, volunteers, equipment, risk management, child safety requirements and event-day coordination.
• Support and develop coaches, team officials and school representatives to understand their responsibilities and deliver programs consistent with School Sport SA expectations and the educational purpose of school sport.
• Lead continuous improvement and future planning, using participation data, feedback and event reviews to improve programs, increase participation, strengthen inclusion and identify future opportunities.
• Maintain effective governance and administration, including annual calendars, budgets, reporting, participation data, equipment and uniforms, financial processes and required School Sport SA documentation.

Essential criteria

• Demonstrated commitment to the educational value of school sport, with the ability to lead safe, inclusive and student-centred programs that support student participation, learning, wellbeing and development.
• Demonstrated high-level communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to build effective relationships, work collaboratively and exercise sound professional judgement when working with all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated highly effective planning, organisation and program management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple school sport programs and events, manage competing priorities, personnel, finances and resources, whilst meeting required timelines, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Desirable criteria

Qualified teacher employable within the Department for Education.

How to apply

Submit within the one document if possible,

• Maximum 1 page written application addressing essential criteria.
• Maximum 3 page CV.
• Applicants may apply for multiple districts, zones or regions (please indicate on the application cover sheet which you are applying for)
• Application cover sheet (DOCX 57 KB) which includes the names and contact details of 2 current referees, 1 being your line manager.

Applications must be emailed to education.schoolsportsa@sa.gov.au by 11.30pm on Sunday 20 September 2026.

Employee requirements

All Department for Education employees are expected to uphold the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.

Employees have a responsibility to ensure they are aware of, properly administer and comply with all legislation and regulations relevant to the performance of their duties and their role. This includes supporting diversity and promoting an inclusive workplace for everyone and maintaining a commitment to Work, Health Safety legislative requirements.

Country positions open for applications

Districts

• Barker – 0.2
• Barossa & Light – 0.2 + 6 TRT days
• Hills – 0.2
• Kangaroo Island – 0.15 + 2 TRT days
• Lower South East – 0.2 + 6 TRT days
• Mid North – 0.2 + 4 TRT days
• Mid South East – 0.2 + 4 TRT days
• Northern – 0.15 + 2 TRT days
• Southern Fleurieu – 0.2 + 6 TRT days
• Upper South East – 0.2

Zone

• South East – 0.25 + 8 TRT days

Regions

Regional convenors will be supported with either SSO admin hours, TRT days or a combination of both.

SSO Admin positions in the established regions will not be included in the current process. These positions will be advertised once all regional convenor positions have been filled.

Eyre Peninsula – 0.5 + 12 TRT days

• Central Eyre Peninsula district
• Lower Eyre Peninsula district
• Western Eyre Peninsula district
• Eyre Peninsula zone

River Murray and Mallee – 0.4 + 9 TRT days

• Murraylands district
• Murray Mallee district
• River Mallee and Districts zone

Riverland – 0.4 + 4 TRT days

• Riverland district
• Riverland zone

Southern Flinders – 0.5 + 8 TRT days

• North Eastern district
• Pirie district
• Mid North zone

Yorke Peninsula 0.4 + 8 TRT days

• Northern Yorke Peninsula district
• Southern Yorke Peninsula district
• Yorke Peninsula zone

Upper North – 0.3 + 4 TRT days

• Whyalla district
• Upper North zone

Enquiries

Daniel Rankine - 8416 5900

Contact

Business unit or team name: School Sport SA
Phone: 8416 5900
Email: Education.SchoolSportSA@sa.gov.au