Careers in sport

Ever considered a career in sport?

A large number of employment opportunities exist in sports development, administration and organisation.

You don’t have to be a world class performer to make a career out of sport!

Look below to find out more information.  Also refer to sporting links and the Youth Sports Directory for contact details of local and national organisations

Fitness Centre Manager
employed mainly in commercial health clubs and gymnasia to manage the provision of physical fitness and lifestyle programmes

Recreation Centre Manager
managing recreational facilities mainly for local authorities, schools, universities, hospitals and commercial enterprises

Leisure Centre Manager
there are opportunities in both the public and private sectors for promoting and running leisure centres. Management trianeeships are a possible method of entry

Leisure Services Manager
plans and co-ordinates activities for a specified area of leisure in local authority or commercial settings. Usually follows experience of facility management

Outdoor Pursuits / Adventure Instructor
offers scope for instructing a wide range of people in outdoor activities - children and young people, disadvantaged groups, those in leadership roles in industry, commerce, the public sector and the uniformed services

Sports Administrator
works within a governing body or Sport England and the role would be similar to that of the sports development officer but it is likely to have a greater emphasis on administrative and financial aspects

Sports Coach / Instructor
there are a few full-time posts in some sports. This work can also form part of the work of a sports development officer or a recreation assistant in a sports centre

Sports Development Officer
promotes various sports within the community, usually amongst particular target groups, or develops one sport on behalf of a governing body or professional association

Sportsman / woman
opportunities for professional sports persons exist in a small number of sports for those who are top level amateurs.

Sports Therapist
mainly concerned with the prevention and treatment of injury in sport with improving and maintaining physical performance

PE Teacher / Lecturer
there are opportunities for teaching PE in tertiary and FE colleges as well as maintained and independent schools

Other related employment opportunities in sport

Armed Services
The active nature of many of the jobs and the leadership role of officers suits sports people. The RAF also recruits for Physical Education Officer Posts. Participation in sports is encouraged in the forces

Journalism
familiarity with sports could obviously be an asset if you want to be a journalist specialising in reporting and writing about sport

Management Consultancy
there are consultancies which specialise in the leisure industry, providing various services to management

Marketing and Sales
the sports equipment and leisure wear industries could well value your knowledge of sports or PE though you may need to get training in marketing and sales

Physiotherapy
this would be a good preparation for a career in sports therapy but training would take at least another three years

Police
this challenging job could suit sports / PE graduates for reasons similar to those given in connection with the armed services

Public Relations
sports promotion work, sponsorship and event organising are aspects of public relations work in which a sports background could be useful

Retailing
As for marketing and sales, specialist sport retail companies could be worth considering for jobs in buying, merchandising or store management

Youth Work
helping young people to meet their own social needs could provide a suitable career since organising recreational activities is a basic part of this work

EMPLOYERS IN SPORT *(examples)

GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS (Sport England)
GOVERNING BODIES (FA, AAA, AENA, EBBA)
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (Sports Development)
SCHOOLS / COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES (PE teachers, Sports lecturers)
LEISURE CENTRES (Recreation assistants)
SPORTS CLUBS
HOTELS
FITNESS CENTRES
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTRES
MEDIA GROUPS (Newspapers / Radio / Television / satellite / Sports journals / sports magazines)

More job examples:

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
SPORTS REPORTER
RECREATION ASSISTANT
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
EVENTS ORGANISER
STADIUM MANAGER
LIFE GUARD
PERSONAL TRAINER
SPORTS COACH
PE TEACHER
SPORTS LECTURER
SPORTS COACH
SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR
SPORTS SCIENTIST
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS PERFORMER

Your route to a career in sport

Education:

• G.C.S.E – PE or Sports Studies
• A-Level – PE or Sports Science / Studies
• G.N.V.Q – Leisure & Tourism, Leisure & Recreation
• University – (Degrees, postgraduate course, Masters and doctorates; in Sports Studies / Science, Sport and Leisure Management, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports physiology, PE Qualified Teacher Status

 Education Related:

• Junior Sports Leaders Award (JSLA)
• Community Sports Leaders Awards (CSLA)
• Higher Sports Leaders Award (HSLA)
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Outset Youth Action (sport related)
• Governing Body coaching qualifications
• Attendance at Sport Workshops

Practical:

• A good background in playing and competing in sport
• Coaching qualifications
• Involvement in local sports groups (Junior Youth Sport Action Group)
• Work experience in sport
• A good knowledge and appreciation of sport

  
  For more information on careers in sport contact Mark Kentell (MSDC Sports Development Officer), Email: MarkK@midsussex.gov.uk or visit Sackville or Imberhorne schools. 

  Also visit the sporting links page on this site for links to relevant organisations and sports journals that have details of jobs and careers in sport.