Are you passionate about community sport and ready to make a real impact on the ground in Cairns? This is your chance to be at the heart of one of Far North Queensland’s most active and growing sporting competitions.

About AFL Cairns

AFL Cairns is the governing body for Australian Rules Football in Far North Queensland. Our mission is to establish AFL Cairns as the leading regional community competition in Australia — and our purpose is to leave the game in a better place than when we started, by uniting and inspiring our local community.

We’re a values-driven organisation built on Community, Professionalism, and Integrity. Our people show up every day to grow the game and make a difference across Cairns and the surrounding region.

The Role

Reporting to the Football Operations Manager, the Junior Competition Manager is responsible for the delivery and administration of AFL Cairns junior and youth competitions. You’ll be the key point of contact for our clubs, working closely with our Women’s & Girls’ Competition Manager, Game Development Coordinators, and the AFLQ Football Lead to ensure our competitions run seamlessly and our clubs thrive.

This is a hands-on role — you’ll be at the ground on weeknights and weekends, building relationships with club committees, supporting coaches and officials, and making sure every junior who pulls on a guernsey has a great experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing all aspects of junior competition delivery — fixtures, registrations, transfers, results, and finals
• Being the first point of contact for clubs, presidents, and committees across the Cairns region
• Attending weekly competition matches and overseeing match day operations
• Coordinating tribunals, appeals, and compliance processes
• Supporting clubs with governance, coach development, and participant recruitment
• Working collaboratively with our Women’s & Girls’ and Game Development teams to align programs and grow participation
• Delivering season highlights including Representative football, Grand Final Day and Presentation Night
• Managing competition budgets, invoicing, and administration

What You’ll Bring

• At least three years’ experience in AFL competition management or within an AFL club environment
• Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills you know how to work with volunteers and club committees
• Sharp administration and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Confident written and verbal communication across a diverse range of people
• A calm, solutions-focused approach when things get busy
• Valid Blue Card and current Driver’s Licence (or ability to obtain)
• Genuine passion for community football and growing the game in regional Queensland

Why AFL Cairns?

• Be part of a passionate, close-knit team making a genuine difference in the Cairns community
• Work across a thriving and growing competition with real scope to shape what junior football looks like in FNQ
• Collaborate with a network that spans from grassroots clubs through to AFL Queensland and the national body
• Enjoy the lifestyle that comes with living and working in one of Australia’s most iconic regions

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Send your resume and a cover letter telling us why you’re the right person for this role to admin@aflcairns.com.au or online at Seek.

For a confidential conversation, reach out through the AFL Cairns office.