Olivia Dufourq

37 Walter Way
Cranbourne South, VIC, 3977
0457605429
livdufourq@hotmail.com

29/03/2022

Tom Herby
Performance Coordinator
375 Albert Rd
Albert Park, VIC

Dear Tom Herby,

RE: Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach of Athletics Program, VI782569

I am applying for the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach role of the Athletics Program and heard about
this position through Deakin University. From reading the position description and looking at the VIS website, I
am intrigued by this position as it will be an opportunity to step into high-performance coaching and expand my
knowledge through working with elite athletes. I have a background in coaching competitive gymnastics, and I
would love to step into athletics and see the parallel between both sports from a strength and conditioning
point of view.

I would be a good fit within this position as I know about building athlete strength and flexibility with efficient
programs. This was gained through coaching Women’s Artistic Gymnastics for the last seven years, with my
Advanced coaching qualification through Gymnastics Australia. I had the opportunity to take several athletes to
state-level competitions and have been fortunate enough to see my athletes' place at some of these events!

I have recently completed my Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University, which has provided
me knowledge about how the body can perform optimally with the correct nutrition and recovery methods. On
top of this, I have some experience within individualizing programs for athletes and making sure this is kept up
to date when an athlete’s goals are attained, and progress has been made.

It would be great to expand my knowledge and develop my skills even more through this role, working with you
and the other staff members within the Athletics Program. Attached to my cover letter are my statements
addressing the selection criteria, resume, academic transcript, and other qualifications. I look forward to
hopefully meeting with you and discuss my application further if an interview is offered to me! I can be
contacted via my email or phone number above at any time during the week.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Olivia Dufourq
 Statements Addressing the Selection Criteria
No.1 – Ability to plan and execute strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility programs for teams and
individual athletes.
At Bayside Gymnastics Club, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to complete the training programs for the
competitive gymnastics team I was coaching. These training programs included apparatus progressions, flexibility,
strength, conditioning, and running technique programs.

The team of athletes had different strength/flexibility levels, therefore, I had to make sure that there were
regressions and progressions of each component. This included having the ability to change the exercise, weight, or
repetitions where needed. When a new program was drafted, I would consult the Head Coach to ensure I am not
missing any non-negotiable tasks. From one of my discussions with the head coach, ankle strengthening exercises
were required within my program for injury prevention, and this was a component I needed to incorporate.

I also completed a trial run of the program for a week before making any final changes to repetitions and
increase/decrease the difficulty if needed. Once this step was completed, I would finalise it and utilise it for 6 weeks
to maintain consistency and repetition, with advanced exercises/drills there if athletes progressed.

Having the ability to design programs for my athletes enabled me to be able to progress them at a pace that I knew
the athletes can work at, I was able to evaluate what works for the team of athletes, and what needs to change for
them to gain improvements.

No.2 - Demonstrated ability to communicate and work in partnership with athletic trainers to achieve
the maximal potential in all areas of athletic performance for athletes.
At my coaching position within Geelong YMCA, I have had the opportunity to work in partnership with many other
coaches. Over the last year, I have been working with 2 coaches on a high-level team, all of us bringing strengths to
the table for these athletes to succeed and perform optimally.

As a coaching team, we had to communicate throughout the session about any important information (if athletes
were injured or needed more time on certain skills) and talk at the end of the session about the positives and what
needs to be improved with our delivery of coaching. For this to run smoothly, our coaching team had to be on the
same page and be able to give consistent feedback about the technique of exercises.

Once a term the team would also get together to discuss strength testing and competition results. From this, the
discussion expanded to about what we need to be focused on within the next term, and what components can be
maintained. During this discussion, the training program is drafted up. Having the ability to work in this coaching
team has given me those communication skills, and the confidence that the athletes are getting the best opportunity
to thrive with 3 different pairs of eyes.

No.5 - Demonstrated organisational skills, particularly concerning time management.

At Geelong YMCA in 2021, I had to ensure that the athletes were ready for competitions and that they had the best
chance to perform and progress to State Championships. To do this, I organised a yearly plan, term plan, and weekly
plan. This allowed me and the rest of the coaching team to know what goals were required to be attained by certain
dates to perform optimally at competitions.

To make sure this was being followed, all the plans were looked at before each week to ensure coaches that the
athletes are on track. Athletes also were able to see this plan for them to take accountability for their training, so
they feel confident going into competition season.

This organisational technique benefited the athletes last year, as they were able to excel in their competitions and
use these plans as external motivation and a guide to know if they are training hard enough.
 Olivia Dufourq
Phone: 0457605429 Email: livdufourq@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-dufourq

Career Profi le

 Recently completed Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science

 Currently, work as a Competitive Gymnastics Coach
 Have experience in designing and applying for exercise programs
 Have extensive knowledge of a range of exercises/techniques that target different performance factors
 Applying for the Assistant Strength and Conditioning role within the Athletics Program
 I have applied as I feel I am a good fit for the job, with the ability to be flexible with working irregular hours

Educati on
2018 – 2021 Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus
 Majored in Exercise Physiology and Strength & Conditioning
 78% WAM

2016 – 2017 Victorian Certificate of Education

Flinders Christian Community College
 59.9 ATAR
 Completed subjects of English, Maths Methods, Biology, Physical Education and Health &
Human Development

Skills

 Confidence to teach exercise technique properly

 Developing and evaluating exercise programs
 Ability to lead and work within a team
 Relevant Experience

11/02/2021 –
01/10/2021 Strength and Conditioning Coach (Voluntary)
Geelong Grammar School
 Assisted in the delivery of exercise programs
 Designed warm-ups and conditioning drills for sporting teams
2/12/2020–
03/02/2021 Shadow Coach (Voluntary)
MYC Gymnastics
 Shadowed high-level coaches to gain knowledge on skill and strength & conditioning
21/07/2020 –
30/03/2021 Sport and Exercise Coach (Voluntary)
Sports Support Australia (formerly known as Team Hemley)
 Provided strength and conditioning to youth
 Designed exercise programs
20/03/2019 –
Current Gymnastics Coach (Casual Position)
Geelong YMCA
 Coaching Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, working with ALP 4-7 athletes
 Undertake lesson planning
 Complete skill gap assessment on the athletes
 Working with other coaches to improve overall athlete performance
15/08/2018 –
23/01/2020 Coach Development (Voluntary)
BTYC Gymnastics
 Shadowed a higher-level coach to develop knowledge
 Hands-on spotting under guided supervision
29/10/2014 –
19/03/2019 Gymnastics Coach (Casual Position)
Bayside Gymnastics Club
 Coach Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (ALP 1-4), Kinder Gym, and Sporting Schools
Program.
 Undertook lesson planning
 Completed skill gap assessments on the athletes
 Developed junior coaches within the club
29/10/2013 –
28/10/2014 Trainee Coach (Voluntary)
Bayside Gymnastics Club
 Shadowed qualified coaches
 Assisted in the recreational gymnastics’ classes
 Employment History

04/07/2015 –
Current General Office Administration, Marketing/Advertising, Warehouse Assistant (Casual
Position)
Donaldson Motors
 Complete filing and data entry jobs
 Complete weekly emails for marketing purposes
 Unpack and put away monthly freight orders

Volunteer Experience
26/10/2020 –
11/02/2022 Residential Leader
Deakin Residences Waurn Ponds
 Mentoring other residents
 Providing support for all residents
 Complete organisational tasks such as getting events prepared and making sure the
event is running smoothly
 Team building skills to be able to work cohesively with other residential leaders

Professional Memberships

04/02/2019 – Current Member

Exercise & Sports Science Australia

Professional Development
08/03/2020 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Advanced Coach
Gymnastics Australia
29/03/2016 –
9/03/2022 Provide First Aid HLTAID003
Australian First Aid

Extra-curricular Acti viti es

14/07/2019 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Intermediate Judge
Gymnastics Australia
 Referees

Rachel Crawford
Head Coach
Geelong YMCA
0422 425 959
Rachel.crawford2@ymca.org.au

Alysha Browne
WAG Program Manager
BTYC Gymnastics
0448 259 742
alysha@btycgymnastics.org.au

Michelle Hemley
Manager/Coach
Sports Support Australia
0402 299 589
teamhemley@gmail.com