F rom the tiny, wee jockey on his racehorse to the big, fat sumo in his nappy, there’s a sport for everyone. And every day, thousands of sport-loving Brits hit the pitches, tracks and pools of this land to run, jump and swim their way into the record books (or to a stitch and pulled muscle). In fact, participation in sport in the UK is so high that it accounts for around 2% of the country’s workforce, employing over 360,000 people in 25,000 businesses and organisations. And with the London Olympics in 2012, those numbers are increasing every day. So, who are these people? And what about the jobs? etc. goes into the field to find out…
Sports administration
Sports administrators are the suits behind the scenes who plan, manage and market sports events. Because of the huge awareness of sport’s positive effect on public health and the economy, there’s a demand for higher standards and more offerings. To support this, sports administrators offer advocacy and advice and look after finances. Other typical activities in the role include managing budgets; advising clubs on anything from funding to regulation; supporting staff; raising sponsorship; and resolving political and ethical issues.
Entry
Degrees or diplomas in Sports Management, Business/Marketing, or Sports Science will stand you in good stead for entry into this job, but graduates and diplomates* will also have to show experience, sports-specific qualifications and motivation to enter this highly skilled, competitive sector. Postgraduate or professional qualifications will also help, as will Sports Leader Awards and coaching badges. For directories of training opportunities, visit the websites of the Institute of Sport, Parks and Leisure (www.ispal.org.uk) and the Institute of Sport, Recreation and Management (www.isrm.co.uk).
Money
Salaries start between £14,500 and £23,500. Progression to senior level with experience can lead to anywhere between £26,500 and £45,000.
Sports development
Sports development officers are dedicated to getting us away from the X-Box and onto the Astroturf. Their job is to increase participation in sport and physical activity by organising sport-related programmes and improving access to information and training. Using local resources, they promote sport and healthy living, usually in partnership with larger regional and national initiatives. The job often involves planning; co-ordinating and delivering events; employing and training staff; and controlling a budget – so self-motivation and strong organisation and management skills are a must.
Entry
All graduates and diplomates can begin a career in sports development, but studying subjects like Recreation/Leisure Management, Physical Education, Sports Science or Business/Management may help. There are also great regional training opportunities with Sport England and NVQs/SVQs in Sports Development from SkillsActive.
Money
An assistant sports development officer can expect to earn between £13,000 and £17,000 a year and a sports development officer will make anywhere from £18,000 to £23,000. Managerial roles can command up to £40,000. Not bad, eh?
Sports coach
Coaches turn little snotty-nosed Waynes from Croxteth into big snotty-nosed Wayne Rooneys of Manchester United and England – basically, it’s their job to help people reach their potential. Working with athletes in schools, amateur groups and professional clubs all over the country, coaches assess ability, identify strengths and weaknesses and then plan and carry out suitable training sessions. The job usually requires evening and weekend work, and travel to and from facilities and competitions is common. Coaching is a hands-on job which requires people skills, confident communication, good organisation, bags of enthusiasm, a desire to help others succeed and, if you’re lucky, your very own whistle!
Entry
A coach will often have a HND or foundation degree in Sports Science, Sport Coaching or Sports Management, but it’s essential to gain the appropriate qualification from the governing body of the sport you wish to coach. For example, prospective football coaches should check out the FA’s website (www.thefa.com), while cricketers should go to the ECB’s site (www.ecb.co.uk). For a general programme of coaching essentials, visit Sports Coach UK (www.sportscoachuk.org). Coaching courses are open to anyone over the age of 16 and can be taken part-time or in full-time intensive sessions.
Money
Starting annual salaries are between £14,000 and £23,000, depending on location and qualifications. Senior coaches can earn between £25,000 and £32,000, while an experienced coach working at a national level could make more than £40,000.
Sports therapist
Sports therapists help the injured runners, jumpers and swimmers get back to fitness so they can run, jump and swim again. They help people of all ages and abilities by assessing and treating injuries, helping with rehabilitation, and offering advice on injury prevention and diet. While focusing on the musculoskeletal (your bones, joints, muscles, etc.) effects of physical activity, therapists will also look at the physical and emotional trauma of sporting injuries, and the science of getting athletes back to peak fitness.
Sports therapists are usually employed by a club or closely affiliated to a team, so travelling to matches and tournaments is a big part of the job. Prior to a game, therapists prepare players and advise on the warm-up. During the game, they provide first aid, and after the final whistle they deal with injuries, bruises and blisters.
Entry
Currently, the Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and the British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT) are working to make sports therapy a registered profession. However, as it stands at the moment, anyone who has qualified from a Sports Therapy course (be it a weekend course or a three-year degree) can work as a sports therapist, although the treatments they can offer will depend on their qualifications and insurance.
Non-graduates and diplomates can gain entry into sports therapy, but it is important to choose courses that are validated by the SST and BASRaT as they will allow you to treat safely and to obtain professional insurance.
Money
While there is no standard pay scale for sports therapists, an assistant will earn around £18,000, while a therapist employed by a professional club will make between £26,000 and £32,000, rising to more than £40,000 at senior level.
More info
SkillsActive – www.skillsactive.com – the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning has information on training, qualifications and careers.
Sport England – www.sportengland.org – a government organisation committed to creating opportunities for people to start, stay and succeed in sport.
Sports Coach UK – www.sportscoachuk.org – guiding the development and implementation of coaching systems for all coaches at every level in the UK.
National Council for Work Experience – www.work-experience.org
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