Position Title: Manawatū Turbos Physiotherapist (Contract)

Business Unit: Performance Rugby

Reports to: Head of Performance Rugby and Manawatū Turbos Head Coach

Position Type: Contractor for services.

Location: Palmerston North, NZ

Date: February 2026

APPLY: https://bit.ly/3OyEJ2k

UNION OVERVIEW:

The vision for Manawatū Rugby is bringing our community together through rugby. Manawatū Rugby exists to govern, lead, and support the game of rugby throughout the Manawatū region.

O MATOU UARA - Our Values:

· MAHIA TE MEA TIKA - “Doing what’s right rather than what’s easy”

Integrity and Trust underpin our values system. Forged from more than a century of Manawatū Rugby leaders and communities before us Integrity and Trust will continue to drive our union’s resilience beyond the many challenges facing provincial rugby in Aotearoa.

· O MATOU HONONGA – “Our Connections”

Our union’s strength is seen in our connections across community. At all levels from our grass roots volunteers, players across all grades, all support and technical staff to the unwavering support of our partners. Whanaungatanga describes the relationships born from our connections.

· KIA MAIA, KIA MANAWANUI – “Belief and Determination”

Belief and determination are the laces that tie together the Integrity, the Trust and the connections of the Manawatū Rugby Union.

Our Strategic Priorities:

· Community – Enabling our people to lead, inspire and belong at all levels of rugby.

· Commercial – Establishing and nurturing trusting, mutually beneficial partnerships.

· Performance – Sustained performance on and off the field that achieves success.

· Advocacy – Through our legacy we promote rugby in the Manawatū with pride for our future.

Our Goals:

· Highly engaged rugby community

· Increased rugby formats

· Have more than 7000 registered participants

· Achieved sustained financial performance

· Have international representatives

· Have championship winning teams

POSITION PURPOSE:

To provide a consistent, high-quality physiotherapy service to all Manawatū Turbos athletes. Working collaboratively with coaches, trainers, and performance staff, the role contributes to player resilience, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return-to-play processes in accordance with NZ Rugby medical guidelines and the values and culture of Manawatū Rugby.

Success in this role looks like:

Reduced time-loss injuries, high player availability throughout the Turbos campaign, trusted relationships with Manawatū Rugby and NZ Rugby medical staff, and consistently accurate and timely medical reporting.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Head of Performance Rugby and Manawatū Turbos Head Coach

Direct reports: Nil

Internal Relationships: MRU Board

MRU Staff

MRU Players

External Relationships: New Zealand Rugby

Super Rugby Franchises

Other Provincial Unions

Sponsors & Charities (as required)

Club Officials, Coaches and Volunteers

Executive Committees

Media

Public

Service Providers

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

· Deliver comprehensive physiotherapy services to all Manawatū Turbos players throughout

preseason and competition.

· Work in collaboration with the Head of Strength & Conditioning and Team Doctor to ensure a

coordinated, planned approach to injury management, screening, rehabilitation, and

return‑to‑play.

· Provide physiotherapy coverage for training, match days, travel, and camps as required during

the Turbos campaign.

· Support physical resilience through effective load management, injury prevention strategies,

and recovery planning.

· Maintain accurate, detailed medical records, including timely updates to MedTech, NZRU

Rugby Med, and/or Smartabase systems.

· Coordinate and participate in regular medical and case review meetings with coaching and

performance staff.

· Liaise with external physiotherapists and medical providers regarding injured players to ensure

consistency with agreed rehabilitation programmes.

· Maintain professional relationships with NZ Rugby, Super Rugby, and other provincial medical

teams.

· Ensure all practices and behaviours align with ethical, legal, and professional standards and

protect the reputation of Manawatū Rugby.

· Comply with all health and safety requirements and actively contribute to a safe working

environment.

· Undertake additional physiotherapy‑related duties as reasonably required by Manawatū

Rugby from time to time.

COMPETENCIES OF THE POSITION HOLDER:

QUALIFICATIONS

· Relevant tertiary qualification in Physiotherapy

· Experience in a professional or high‑performance sporting environment preferred

· Post‑graduate qualifications desirable

· ICIR Level 2 qualification (or ability to obtain)

TEAMWORK

· Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary performance team

· Willingness to share information and support colleagues

· Builds and maintains strong professional relationships

WORK ORGANISATION

· Strong organisational and time‑management skills

· Ability to manage competing priorities in a high‑pressure environment

· Capable of meeting deadlines during peak performance periods

PEOPLE SKILLS

· Ability to build rapport with athletes from diverse backgrounds

· Confident working with coaches, medical staff, and performance professionals

· Approachable and professional interpersonal style

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

· Clear, concise written and verbal communication

· Ability to communicate clinical information effectively to players and staff

· High standard of written documentation and reporting

OTHER SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

· Alignment with MRU values of integrity, work ethic, enjoyment, and resilience

· Positive, solutions‑focused attitude

· Sense of humour

· Flexible and adaptable, including willingness to work outside standard hours

· Strong commitment to confidentiality and professional standards

OBLIGATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS AS AN EMPLOYEE OF MRU:

HEALTH AND SAFETY

While this role is contracted for services, the position holder is expected to comply with MRU policies, standards, and health and safety obligations as if an employee.

This includes:

· Following safe operating practices

· Considering the safety of others

· Reporting accidents, incidents, or hazards immediately

· Using required safety equipment

· Maintaining safe and tidy work environments

· Holding a full New Zealand driver licence

TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The contractor is expected to:

· Maintain current professional knowledge and accreditation

· Engage in approved training relevant to the role

· Proactively pursue professional development that enhances performance outcomes

TEAM CONTRIBUTION

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the contractor may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time. This position description is not exhaustive. The role holder is expected to actively contribute to team initiatives and support the achievement of Manawatū Rugby’s objectives.