SPORTS COACH (PREPARATORY SCHOOL)

SPORTS COACH

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

JANUARY 2027

St John’s College is a world-class Anglican School situated on a magnificent campus in Houghton, Johannesburg, offering quality education from Pre-Primary to Post-Matric. The school has an outstanding academic record and an excellent reputation in sport, music, drama, art and debating.

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Sports Coach to join our school’s sports department, where the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing young students in our Preparatory division. Working closely with the Director of Sport, the successful candidate will coach a variety of sports, ensuring all students receive top-tier coaching and the chance to excel in competitive fixtures.

The ideal candidate will be an integral part of our sporting community, with availability required during school sports events, including weekends, half-terms, and some holiday tours. This is an exciting opportunity to inspire and challenge talented students to achieve their full potential in sports.

Main Responsibilities

• Contributing to the school’s sport programme, taking responsibility for a sport team or teams each half (term), providing coaching, supervision and guidance, and accompanying away matches against other schools
• Coaching and co-coach training sessions
• Planning of age and stage appropriate coaching session content
• Officiating sport matches
• Participating in informal duties across the Preparatory school, such as meetings, contributing to the school’s ‘socials’ programme
• Providing logistical and administrative support to the Director of Sports office
• Events Manager during major events, including (but not limited to), the school’s major open days, parent-teacher meetings, etc.
• Contributing to other areas of the co-curriculum, subject to individual aptitude, experience and preferences, and as approved by the Director of Sport
• Participating in the outdoor education programme including participation in outdoor trips or camps if necessary
• Assist with the organisation and running of inter-house sports events
• Participate, coach and chaperone students on sports school tours during term time, and some holidays or half terms
• Attend and coach pre season and holiday clinics for sports codes during the first and last week of the holidays

Minimum Requirements

• Undergraduate diploma / degree in Sports, Physical Education or a related field
• Three (3) years experience as a Sports Coach
• SACE registration, favourable

Skills and Attributes

• Students in St John’s Preparatory School are between eight and fourteen years of age. In order to be effective in this position the coach must have a well developed understanding of long-term athlete development and particularly the types of activities, experiences and competition structures that are appropriate at each age of development.
• Technical knowledge: Sound technical knowledge of at least one, but preferably more than one sports offered at St John’s Preparatory School.  Coaches should be able to articulate a range of feasible game models in their preferred sport. In addition, coaches must possess clear technical models for fundamental skills for each sport, and be able to program activities for the development of those skills.
• Team and Independent Work: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proactive Attitude: Demonstrates initiative and professionalism in all aspects of the role.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for building positive relationships with staff, students, and parents.
• Organisation and Time Management: Capable of planning, prioritising, and managing workloads effectively to meet deadlines.
• Child Welfare Commitment: Strong dedication to the welfare and wellbeing of children, with knowledge of safeguarding principles.
• Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive information discreetly and maintain confidentiality.
• Child welfare commitment: Demonstrate a strong dedication to the welfare and well-being of children, with knowledge of Safeguarding principles and in line with St John’s College’s Legacy of Care.

Members of staff are expected to demonstrate a commitment to work within the values, Anglican ethos and mission of the school.

To apply for this position, please complete the Application Form using this link Click Here to Apply by no later than 17 September 2026.

At St John’s College, we are committed to proactive safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children. All staff who have access to children will be vetted in accordance with the St John’s College safeguarding policy. This policy stipulates that staff are required to undergo all the necessary background checks in keeping with the requirements for safeguarding and child protection in South Africa, and all staff perform duties in accordance with our school’s HR Policies.

The school reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. The appointment of candidates is at the sole discretion of St John’s College, taking into account factors such as St John’s College Employment Equity Policy. Applications are welcomed from South African citizens only or persons with a valid work permit. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the minimum requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from St John’s College within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful in your application

St John’s College, in line with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information but will be used in the recruitment, selection, and reporting process. By submitting your application for this position, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.