Wellington Dragon Boat Festival seeks a passionate Youth Dragon Boat Coach to develop our junior program. We value team sports coaching experience from any sport - football, rugby, cricket, etc. Different language skills highly valued for our diverse community. Full water sports training provided. Perfect opportunity for experienced team coaches to transition into exciting water sports career. 25-30 hours weekly, competitive rates, professional development included. Shape young athletes' futures while building your coaching career.

Youth Dragon Boat Coach

Wellington Dragon Boat Festival

Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Position Type: Permanent
Salary: $30-35 per hour (based on experience)
Start Date: September 2025

About Us

Wellington Dragon Boat Festival is an accredited employer and leading community sports organization dedicated to developing New Zealand's fastest-growing team sport. We're passionate about building inclusive, diverse teams that reflect Wellington's vibrant multicultural community and creating pathways for young athletes to excel in water sports.

The Role

We're seeking a dynamic Youth Dragon Boat Coach to lead our expanding junior development program. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of youth dragon boat racing in Wellington while building your coaching career in New Zealand's premier water sports environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and deliver engaging training programs for youth (primarily) and adult athletes
• Develop team strategies, tactics, and performance improvement plans
• Lead pre-season fitness and conditioning programs
• Mentor young athletes in teamwork, discipline, and goal achievement
• Engage with diverse families and community members in our programs
• Collaborate with senior coaches on event planning and competition preparation
• Maintain safety protocols and risk management for all water-based activities
• Support festival events and community outreach initiatives

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 2 years coaching or team leadership experience in any sport (paid, volunteer, or amateur level)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with youth
• Strong communication and motivational skills
• Experience in program development and training design
• Ability to work weekends and during school holidays
• Current First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain immediately)
• Clean police background check for child safety (we will arrange)
• Swimming competency and water confidence
• Legal right to work in New Zealand for the duration of employment

Highly Desirable

• Team sports coaching background (football, rugby, cricket, hockey, basketball, etc.)
• Different language fluency for community engagement with our diverse membership base
• Experience with fitness and conditioning programs
• Leadership roles in sports clubs or community organizations
• Understanding of youth development principles
• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse populations
• Enthusiasm for learning water sports techniques and dragon boat fundamentals

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate with performance-based increases
• Comprehensive water safety and dragon boat coaching training
• Professional development opportunities including national coaching certifications
• Access to Wellington's premier water sports facilities
• Supportive mentoring from experienced head coaches
• Opportunity to attend national competitions and festivals
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate other commitments
• Annual leave entitlements and KiwiSaver contributions

Our Commitment to Diversity

Wellington Dragon Boat Festival values the strength that comes from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to our multicultural community engagement and bring fresh approaches to youth sports development.

Next Steps

This position requires the successful candidate to undergo immigration processing as part of our accredited employer obligations. We will provide full support throughout this process.

To Apply: Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter explaining:

Applications close: 30 days from posting dat

Wellington Dragon Boat Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.