National Development Coach

Singapore Aquatics (SAQ), as a member of World Aquatics (AQUA), serves as the governing body for swimming, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming in Singapore. SAQ is charged with the development and education of aquatic players, officials, coaches and volunteers throughout Singapore, and with the conduct of competitions and programmes for all levels of participation

Position: National Development Coach

A. PRIMARY JOB PURPOSE

• Reporting Structure: Reports to the National Head Coach, Sport Director, and VP (Diving), supporting execution of the National Diving Programme and Multi-Year Sports Plan.

• Purpose: Responsible for the holistic development - technical, physical, and psychological —of a dedicated group of athletes within the national squad. Ensuring pathway progression and emotional well-being in an athlete-centred environment.

Role requires a collaborative coach passionate about athlete growth, aligned with Singapore Diving's mission to build a world-class programme.

B. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical Responsibilities:

• Deliver elite coaching for assigned athletes, aligned with the Head Coach's programme.
• Collaborate in developing annual and long-term training and competition plans within the pathway framework.
• Integrate and manage the input of sports science teams (strength & conditioning, physiology, psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy), ensuring alignment with training objectives and athlete development plans.
• Take a proactive leadership role in the education, mentorship, and development of coaches within Singapore's diving community.
  Lead the design and delivery of a structured coach education pathway, including training initiatives, workshops, and resources that equip coaches with the technical knowledge, athlete-centred practices, and pathway-specific tools required to prepare athletes for international competition.

2. Administrative Responsibilities:

• Maintain a structured athlete database, with folders for training plans, reports, competition outcomes, and psychosocial notes.
• Provide individualised athlete development plans, trip reports, and regular progress updates to Head Coach, Sport Director, and VP (Diving).
• Coordinate athlete-parent feedback meetings to ensure transparent communication and shared development goals.
• Support stakeholder communication, including clubs, parents, and pathway partners.
• Work closely with sports science and medical teams to schedule interventions, monitor outcomes, and report on the effectiveness of support services.
• Provide administrative support as required to the Sport Manager and Sport Director, ensuring smooth coordination of programme operations.
  Submit incident reports, trip reports, and performance reviews in a timely and professional manner, ensuring transparency and accountability.

C. JOB HOLDER REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

• Relevant diving coaching certifications, including dryland and water harness training.
• Minimum 5 years' coaching experience, with demonstrated success at junior and senior international level.
• Proven track record of developing and progressing athletes within a high-performance pathway.
• Experience with performance data management, training documentation, and athlete monitoring.
• Experience working collaboratively with sports science teams to enhance athlete performance.

Personal Attributes:

• Athlete-Centred: Demonstrated ability to foster athlete confidence, independence, and resilience in an emotionally safe environment.
• Collaborative: Strong interpersonal and management skills to work closely with the National Head Coach, athletes, staff, and parents in a supportive, professional manner.
• Organised & Meticulous: Able to manage performance data, reports, and programme information systematically.
• Professional Excellence: Logical decision-making, problem-solving, and ability to handle high-pressure situations calmly.
• Strong Communicator: Effective written and verbal communication, able to produce reports and liaise with athletes, parents, and stakeholders.
• Innovative & Growth-Oriented: Embraces continuous learning, sports science integration, and coaching best practices.
• Flexible & Committed: Willingness to commit to pre-competition meetings, training camps, weekend sessions, and overseas travel as required, within a workload of up to 44 hours per week over 6 days
• Fluent in written and spoken English.