Athlete

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this career through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• a sports development programme

University

You can apply to do a course at university in the usual way through UCAS and join your university’s athletics performance programme, where one is available.

You may be able to apply for a university sports scholarship , if you’ve competed at club, regional or national level and have shown the potential to go further.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a sports related apprenticeship, which would allow you to develop your athletics career while gaining skills to work in the sport and leisure industry.

Apprenticeships include:

• Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

OtherRoutes

The first step to becoming a professional athlete is to join an athletics club . You would work with qualified coaches to develop your skills and compete at a level appropriate to your age and stage of development.

There are several athletics programmes that support individuals to achieve their potential.

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme allows you to study for a qualification at college or university, while you continue your sporting development. You must be 16 or over, and be performing at a high level. You are nominated for a place by UK Athletics , the national governing body.

You may be able to join the Para Academy , if you have the potential to compete at national and international paralympic level.

England Athletics has more information on pathways from junior and youth programmes through to senior and world class levels.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• ambition and a desire to succeed
• physical fitness and endurance
• persistence and determination
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• business management skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• leadership skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• active listening skills
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Athletes compete in track and field events for their clubs, with some going on to represent their country at international level.

As an athlete, you could:

• take part in indoor and outdoor training sessions and exercise routines
• practise running, throwing or jumping drills
• build up your strength and conditioning in the gym
• identify and work on areas for improvement with your coach
• take part in trials and competitions
• travel to athletics events, including overseas for international championships
• do promotional and media activities for your club or country

Location : You could work on a sports field or at a sports arena.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.
Uniform : You may need to wear a sports kit.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

0 - 0 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

You could move into coaching with athletics clubs, colleges and universities. Your skills and experience would also be useful for a career in community sports development or sports management.

You might wish to take further training to become a:

• sport and exercise psychologist
• nutritionist
• performance sports scientist

You may also have opportunities for sports media work.