Mr. Scott Ferguson

PO Box 4941

CAIRNS QLD 4870

Mob. 0422 921 271

Email:

To whom it may concern,

It is with great enthusiasm that I provide the following information as an expression of my interest for the advertised position of Queensland Rugby Union Participation Officer, with Queensland Rugby, in Cairns.

You will see from the attached resume that I have developed an extensive amount of experience, skill, and ability as an Executive Level Manager within various operational and service delivery environments primarily within the Australian and Queensland Public Service.

I am a quality-focussed leader with an outstanding record of success in managing within an operational and service delivery environment. A highly successful people manager skilled in empowering team members to perform at peak levels, demonstrated by:

§  Goal Setting and Achievement;

§  Awareness and Adaptability;

§  Strategic Planning and Execution;

§  Concept Development and Implementation;

§  Stakeholder and Customer Relationship Management.

However, to be truly honest, my true passion and desire has always been to be involved in the sport of Rugby Union. And I would love to help share what an amazing sport Rugby is, with as many people as possible.

Due to my recent life style changes, the importance of climbing the corporate ladder and chasing the commensurate salary that goes with it has been replaced by a desire to refocus and recommit to the community that enabled my success corporately.

I am now seeking to build a career in a role that makes me feel excited every day, and leaves me with a feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction. I feel that the role of Queensland Rugby Participation Officer is certainly a role that would do this, as is working for an organisation like Queensland Rugby.

Like most other applicants, I will be able to bring the following skills and experience to the role:

§  A strong and intense passion for the sport of Rugby Union;

§  A desire to introduce every child to the joy, excitement, friendships, and fun that Rugby Union can bring;

§  Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to evoke the cooperation of people across a wide range of organisations;

§  Strong communication, negotiation and relationship building skills;

§  Strong time management, presentation skills and the ability to meet deadlines and prioritise tasks;

§  Excellent computer skills, and information technology literacy;

§  Preparedness to be flexible in respect to work hours and intrastate travel;

§  A current driver’s license.

§  Possession of (or the ability to acquire) a current (Working with Children) Blue Card.

However, some of the skills and experience I can bring to the role that others may not be able to, include:

§  Experience in the introduction of (new) sports programs to children.

In 2009, I was looking for an organised sport in Cairns that my 4 year old daughter (Willow) could become involved in. Unfortunately, due to her young age, I was unable to find anything available. However, after some research, I discovered the Football Federation of Australia’s “Squirts Program”.

The Squirts program promotes Football-based exercise and activity for younger children who are not able to be registered to play in age-specific matches. “Squirts” is not a “technical coaching” program, but a tempered introduction to the sport of football. The very basics of the game are introduced and experienced by children between the ages of 3 to 5, through different drills, practices and games.

Although the program was not currently available at any of the Cairns & District Soccer Association Clubs, I was unperturbed. I contacted the FFA, obtained all of the necessary information about the program, and then contacted my local Football Club (the Redlynch Cyclones) to enquire if they were interested in me delivering the program via their club. The Redlynch Cyclones agreed, and I commenced delivering the program in early 2009.

As the “Squirts” Coach, my role was to:

-  plan, promote, and deliver the “Squirts Program” on behalf of the club;

-  gently guide and oversee the children;

-  encourage the children to have a sense of fun and freedom;

-  develop the individual participant’s gross motor skills;

-  keep the children physically active;

-  introduce the children to football, whilst participating in a fun and healthy way;

-  help develop and foster a love of Football.

Being active was the objective, and participating in football was the means to achieving this end. Developing elite players was not the ultimate outcome I was seeking, rather the development of the children’s gross motor skills in ball control, jumping, turning, balance, agility, movement and general co-ordination were all skills I was looking for the children to acquire, and improve.

Since my inception of the “Squirts Program” in Far North Queensland (at Redlynch Cyclones Football Club) most football clubs that are associated with the Cairns & District Soccer Association have now adopted the program, and now deliver “Squirts” via their own clubs.

·  Also, I have been materially responsible, for a number of years, of delivering Government Human Service

programs, in various remote indigenous communities throughout Queensland, including:

§ The Northern Peninsula Area (Seisia, New Mapoon, Bamaga, Umagico, and Injinoo);

§ The Torres Strait Islands;

§ Aurkun;

§ Hope Vale;

§ Wujal Wujal;

·  § Napranum;

§ Mapoon;

§ Lockhart River;

§ Pormpuraaw; and

§ Kowanyama.

I have a highly developed level of cultural awareness, and am able to engage, communicate effectively, and

sensitively consult and negotiate with various stakeholder, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,

Local Indigenous Government Officials, Traditional Owners, and other Indigenous Community Groups

·  Also, I have been materially responsible, for a number of years, of delivering Government Human Service

programs, in various remote indigenous communities throughout Queensland, including:

§ The Northern Peninsula Area (Seisia, New Mapoon, Bamaga, Umagico, and Injinoo);

§ The Torres Strait Islands;

§ Aurkun;

§ Hope Vale;

§ Wujal Wujal;

·  § Napranum;

§ Mapoon;

§ Lockhart River;

§ Pormpuraaw; and

§ Kowanyama.

I have a highly developed level of cultural awareness, and am able to engage, communicate effectively, and

sensitively consult and negotiate with various stakeholder, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,

Local Indigenous Government Officials, Traditional Owners, and other Indigenous Community Groups

·  Also, I have been materially responsible, for a number of years, of delivering Government Human Service

programs, in various remote indigenous communities throughout Queensland, including:

§ The Northern Peninsula Area (Seisia, New Mapoon, Bamaga, Umagico, and Injinoo);

§ The Torres Strait Islands;

§ Aurkun;

§ Hope Vale;

§ Wujal Wujal;

·  § Napranum;

§ Mapoon;

§ Lockhart River;

§ Pormpuraaw; and

§ Kowanyama.

I have a highly developed level of cultural awareness, and am able to engage, communicate effectively, and

sensitively consult and negotiate with various stakeholder, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,

Local Indigenous Government Officials, Traditional Owners, and other Indigenous Community Groups

§  Delivery of programs to various remote indigenous communities throughout Far North Queensland.

I have been materially responsible, for a number of years, for the delivery of various Government Human Service programs, to a number of remote indigenous communities throughout Far North Queensland including:

-  The Northern Peninsula Area (Seisia, New Mapoon, Bamaga, Umagico, and Injinoo);

-  The Torres Strait Islands;

-  Aurkun;

-  Hope Vale;

-  Wujal Wujal;

-  Napranum;

-  Mapoon;

-  Lockhart River;

-  Pormpuraaw; and Kowanyama.

I have a highly developed level of cultural awareness, and am able to engage, communicate effectively, and sensitively consult and negotiate with various indigenous stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Local Indigenous Government Officials, Traditional Owners, and other Indigenous Community Groups (including sporting groups, and schools).

§  Delivery of individualised Strength & Conditioning training, and Nutritional Planning (Rugby Union)

From 2014 to 2016, I have provided individualised Strength and Conditioning training, and Nutritional planning to a selection of First XV Rugby Union representatives of St. Laurence’s College (Brisbane). This has included specific training and planning in the following:

-  Endurance and stamina through individualised cardiovascular training programs;

-  Strength and conditioning through individualised weight training programs;

-  Tackling, Scrumming, Lineout lifting, Lineout throwing;

-  Building core capabilities through muscle development;

-  Weight gain/management through nutrition and supplementation;

-  Everyday nutrition;

-  Pre-match nutrition;

-  Post-match nutrition;

-  Supplements (e.g. Creatine, Glucosamine, Multi Vitamins, etc.)

Having an individually tailored, sports specific training and nutritional plan has led to improved performance for these athletes of St. Laurence’s College First XV (Rugby Union). Consuming the correct foods and supplements, in conjunction with performing the correct supplementary training, with a disciplined and focused approach, has enabled each athlete to perform consistently at their best. This has resulted in some great achievements for the players, individually and as a team.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your consideration, and am thrilled at the possibility of working with Queensland Rugby, and am able to provide any references regarding my claims to the position, on request.

I would love the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my drive, determination, enthusiasm, as well as my extensive skills, experience, and personal qualities are highly suited to the Rugby Participation Officer (Cairns) role.

Regards, Scott Ferguson.